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Hadley 
Why  Do  We  Need  a  Public  Library? 


LIBRARY  TRACT.  No.  10 

Revised  Edition  of 
Tract  No.  1 


WHY  DO  WE  NEED  A  PUBUC 

UBRARY? 

MATERIAL  FOR  A  LIBltARY  CAMPAIGN 


Complied  by 

CHALMERS  EADLEY 

Sec'y  American  Library  Association 


% 


AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION  PUBLISmNG  BOARD 

1  WASHINGTON  STREET,  CHICAGO 

1910 


PUBLICATIONS  OF  THE 

AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 

PUBLISHING  BOARD 

Pottage  on  hook  pubHc<lH<Ma  e.vira 

Guide  to  reference  books,  by  Alice  B.  Kroeger. 
New  and  enlarged  edition.    Cloth,  $1.50. 

Literature  of  American  history;  edited  by  J.  N. 
Larned.  Cloth,  $6.00.  Supplements  for  1902, 
1903,  paper,  each  $1;  for  1904,  25c. 

A.  L.  A.  Index  to  general  literature.    Cloth,  $10. 

A.  L.  A.  Index  to  portraits.    $3. 

A.  L.  A.  Catalog.    Paper,  $1. 

A.  L.  A.  Catalog  rules.    Cloth,  60c. 

A.  L.  A.  Booklist  (monthly,  10  numbers)  $1  a  year 

List  of  subject  headings  for  use  in  dictionary  cat- 
alogs.   Cloth,  $2. 

Books  for  girls  and  women  and  their  clubs. 
Paper,  25c.  Also  issued  in  five  parts,  small 
size,  5c.  each. 

Reading  for  the  young,  with  supplement.  Sheets, 
$1. 

Books  for  boys  and  girls,  by  Caroline  M.  Hewins. 
Paper,  15c.     $5  per  100. 

Children's  reading.    Paper,  25c. 

Small  library  buildings.    Paper,  $1.25. 

Library  buildings,  by  W.  R.  Eastman.  Paper,  10c. 

(Continued  on  Brd  cover  page) 


LIBRARY   TRACT.  No.  lO 

Revised  Edition  of 
Tract   No.    1 


WHY  DO  WE  NEED  A  PUBLIC 

LIBRARY? 

MATERIAL  FOR  A  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN 


Compiled  by 

CHALMERS   HADLEY 

Sec*y  American  Library  Association 


AMERICAN  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION  PrBLISHING  BOARD 

1   WASIIIN(iTON  STRKKT.  CHICA(iO 

I<)1() 


Compiled  from  articles  and  addresses  by 

Sir  Walter  Besaiu  7 

E.  A.   Birge,  dean  University  of  Wisconsin,  Madison, 

Wis i8 

William  J.  Bryan 38 

John   P.   Buckley 32 

Waller  Irene  Bullock,  chief  loan  librarian  Carnegie  Li- 
brary,   Pittsburg,   Pa 43 

James   II.   Canfield,   late   librarian   Columbia   University 

Library,  New  York  40  - 

Andrew  Carnegie   -25,  41 

Winston  Churchill   16 

Frederick  M.  Crundcn,  ex-librarian  Public  Library,  St. 

Louis,  Mo 4,  28,  47 

J.  C.  Dana,  librarian  Free  Public  Library,  Newark,  N.  J. 

10,  12,  37,  42 

Melvil  Dewey,  ex-director   N.   Y.  State  Library,  Albany     21 
William  R.  Eastman,  chief  Division  of  Educational  Ex- 
tension, State  Lilirary,  Albany,  N.  Y 22,  45 

Mrs.  S.  C.  Faircliild,  ex-vice  director  New  York  State 

Library  School,  Albany,  N.  Y 10 

W.  L  Fletcher,  librarian  Amherst  College  Library,  Am- 
herst, Mass. 6 

W.  E.  Foster,  librarian  Public  Library,  Providence,  R.   I.  44 
Chalmers  Hadley,  secretary  American  Library  Associa- 
tion, Chicago,  111. .•••••. .• 3'  ~9 

Joseph    Le   Roy    Harrison,   librarian   Providence   Athe- 
naeum, Providence,  R.  1 27 

Caroline  M.  Hewins,  librarian  Public  Library,  Hartford, 
Conn 5 

F.  A.  Hutchins,  University  Extension  Department,  Uni- 

versity of  Wisconsin.   Madison,  Wis 13,  19,  26,  36 

J.  N.  Earned,  ex-librarian  Pul)lic  Library,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

•.•••-. •■  •  20,  22,  34 

Henry  E.  Legler,  librarian  Public  Library,  Chicago,  111. 

17,  30 

James  Russell  Lowell   18 

William   McKinley 30 

Theodore  Roosevelt    37 

C.  C.  Thach,  president  Alaljama  Polytechnic  Institute..  .  .9,  39 
Alice    S.    Tyler,    secretary    Iowa    Lilirary    Commission, 

Des  Moines,  Iowa   47 

Irene  Van  Kleeck 36 


H  llMf 


MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 
CAMPAIGN 

One  of  the  most  eflfective  means  of  conducting  a  library 
campaign,  especially  in  its  early  stage,  is  through  the 
press.  Not  only  will  the  reading  and  thinking  part  of  the 
people  thereby  be  reached,  but  any  library  editorial  ap- 
pearing in  a  newspaper,  will,  because  of  the  public  notice 
given  it,  receive  greater  consideration  than  if  printed  else- 
where. Library  Commission  workers  and  library  support- 
ers in  general,  have  felt  the  need  of  printed  material 
which  could  be  m.ade  immediately  available  in  a  library 
campaign.  Most  library  addresses  and  articles  are  too 
long,  too  scholarly  in  treatment  or  have  lacked  that  crisp 
style  necessary  for  use  in  the  press. 

Editors  of  newspapers  are  slow  to  accept  for  printing, 
signed  editorials  which  have  seen  service  elsewhere.  It 
is  suggested  tliat  tlic  material  here  compiled  be  made  as 
local  as  possible  in  its  application  to  individual  commu- 
nities, and  that  the  editorials  be  sent  to  newspapers  un- 
signed by  the  original  writers.  The  same  editorials  should 
not  be  sent  to  neighboring  communities,  at  least  in  their 
original  form.  Every  attempt  should  be  made  to  have 
them  appear  as  fresh  and  spontaneous  as  possible.  Differ- 
ent editorials  should  always  be  sent  the  several  papers  in 
the  same  city. 

The  material  here  compiled  is  suggestive  and  sufficient- 
ly comprehensive  to  meet  ordinary  conditions.  Much  val- 
uable material  has  been  taken  from  circulars  sent  out  by 
the  Library  Commissions  of  Oregon,  Wisconsin  and  Iowa. 

No  better  advice  could  be  given  in  opening  a  public  li- 
l)rary  campaign  through  the  public  pfcss  than  the  follow- 
ing, in  the-  Wisconsin  I-'rce  Library  Commission  Circular 
of  Information,   Xo.   5: 

I      Citizens   of  believe   in   free   public 

libraries.     They  need  organization  and  courage  to  attack 


701  (m;4 


•I      MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN 

local  problems  rather  than  icing  homilies  on  the  value  of 
good  literature. 

2  Public  sentiment  needs  time  to  ripen.  Frequent 
short  articles  running  througli  tlic  issues  of  a  few  weeks 
are  better  tlian  a  few  long  ones. 

3  Make  the  articles  breezy,  optimistic,  with  local  ap- 
plication.    You  can  get  a  library  if  you  are  in  earnest. 

4  Appeal  to  local  pride.  Civic  patriotism  is  tlie  basis 
of  civic  improvement.  Give  the  names  of  familiar  towns 
of  similar  size  which  have  good  libraries. 

5  Do  not  rely  solely  on  editorials.  Get  brief  comtnu- 
nications  from  citizens,  but  have  each  letter  make  only 
one  point,  and  that  crisply. 

6  Do  not  waste  space  rebutting  trivial  arguments.  Re- 
fute tlieni  by  affirmative  statements. 

7  Get  brief  interviews  with  visitors  from  towns  where 
they  have  good  libraries,  and  witli  your  own  townsmen 
who  have  visited  neighboring  liliraries. 

8  Keep  this  fact  in  mind — Your  people  want  a  librarj- 
and  only  need  pluck  and  a  leader. 

9  Remember  that  the  worst  enemy  of  the  movement  is 
the  talker  who  wants  a  library  very  much,  in  the  "sweet  bye 
and  bye,"  when  all  other  public  improvements  are  completed. 

10  Wlien  it  is  time  to  strike  strike  hard.  Apologies 
and  faint  hearts  never  won  any  kind  of  a  contest. 

CHALMERS   HADLEY, 
Secretary  American    Lilirary  Association. 

WHAT  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  DOES  FOR  A 
COMMUNITY 

1  It  doubles  the  value  of  tlie  education  the  child  re- 
ceives in  school,  and,  best  of  all,  imparts  a  desire  for 
knowledge  which  serves  as  an  incentive  to  continue  his 
education  after  leaving  school;  and,  having  furnislied  the 
incentive,  it  further  supplies  the  means  for  a  life-long  con- 
tinuance of  education. 

2  It  provides  for  the  education  of  adults  who  have 
lacked,  or  failed  to  make  use  of,  early  opportunities. 


MATERIAL  FOR  A   PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGX      '> 

3  It  furnishes  information  to  teachers,  ministers,  jour- 
nalists, plijsicians,  legislators,  all  persons  upon  whose 
work  depend  the  intellectual,  moral,  sanitary  and  politi- 
cal welfare  and  advancement  of  the  people. 

4  It  furnishes  books  and  periodicals  for  the  technical 
instruction  and  information  of  mechanics,  artisans,  manu- 
facturers, engineers  and  all  others  whose  work  requires 
technical  knowledge — of  all  persons  upon  whom  depends 
the  industrial  progress  of  the  cit}-. 

5  It  is  of  incalculable  benefit  to  the  city  by  affording 
to  thousands  the  highest  and  purest  entertainment,  and 
thus  lessening  crime  and  disorder. 

6  It  makes  the  citj'  a  more  desirable  place  of  resi- 
dence, and  thus  retains  the  best  citizens  and  attracts  oth- 
ers of  the  same  character. 

7  More  than  any  other  agency,  it  elevates  the  general 
standard  of  intelligence  throughout  the  great  body  of  the 
community,  upon  which  its  material  prosperity,  as  well  as 
its  moral  and  political  well-being,  must  depend. 

Finall}-,  the  public  library  includes  potentiall}-  all  otlier 
means  of-  social  betterment.  A  librar}'  is  a  living  organ- 
ism, having  within  itself  the  capacity  of  infinite  growth 
and  reproduction.  It  may  found  a  dozen  museums  and 
hospitals,  kindle  the  train  of  thought  that  produces  benefi- 
cent inventions,  and  inspire  to  noble  deeds  of  every  kind, 
all  the  while  imparting  intelligence  and  inculcating  in- 
dustry, thrift,  morality,  public  spirit  and  all  those  qualities 
that  constitute  the  wealth  and  well-being  of  a  community. 

F.  M.  CRUNDEN. 


WHAT  A  FREE  LIBRARY  DOES  FOR  A  COUNTRY 

TOWN 

1  It  keeps  boys  at  home  in  the  evening  by  giving  them 
well-written  stories  of  adventure. 

2  It  gives  teachers  and  pui)ils  interesting  books  to  aid 
their  school  work  in  history  and  geograiihy.  and  makes 
better  citizens  of  them  by  enlarging  tin  ir  knowledge  of 
their  crumtry  and  its  growth. 


G      MATERIAL  FOR  A   PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN 

3  It  provides  l)Ooks  on  the  care  of  children  and  ani- 
mals, cookcrj'  and  liousckeeping,  l)uilding  and  gardening, 
and  teaclios  joung  readers  how  to  make  simple  dj-namos, 
telepiiones  and  other  machine.--. 

4  It  lielps  cluh>  tliat  are  studying  history,  literature 
or  life  in  other  countries,  and  throws  liglit  upon  Sunday- 
scliool  lessons. 

5  It  furnishes  books  of  selections  for  reading  aloud, 
suggestions  for  entertainments  ;ind  home  amusements,  and 
hints  on  correct  speech  and  good  manners. 

6  It  teaches  the  names  and  habits  of  the  plants,  birds 
and  insects  of  the  neighborhood,  and  the  differences  in  soil 
and  rock. 

7  It  tells  the  story  of  the  town  from  its  settlement,  and 
keeps  a  record  of  all  important  events  in  its  history. 

8  It  oflfers  pleasant  and  wholesome  stories  to  readers 
of  all  ages.  CAROLINE  M.  HEWINS. 

Let  tlie  bo\'s  find  in  the  free  library  wholesome  books 
of  adventure,  and  tales  such  as  a  I)oy  likes;  let  the  girls 
find  the  stories  which  delight  them  and  give  their  fancy 
and  imagination  exercise;  let  the  tired  housewife  find  the 
novels  which  will  transport  her  to  an  ideal  realm  of  love 
and  happiness;  let  the  liard worked  man,  instead  of  being 
expected  always  to  read  "improving"  books  of  history  or 
politics,  choose  that  which  will  give  him  relaxation  of 
mind  and  nerve — perhaps  the  "Innocents  Abroad."  or  Josh 
Billings's  "Allminax,"  or  "Samanthy  at  Saratoga." 

W.   I.   FLETCHER. 


WHY  WE  NEED  A  LIBRARY 

A  public  library  in  our  community  would  be  an  influence 
for  good  every  day  in  the  week. 

It  would  make  the  town  more  attractive  to  the  class 
of  people  we  want  as  residents  and  neighbors. 

It  would  mould  the  characters  of  tlie  children  in  our 
homes. 

A   good  library  would  get  gifts  from   wealthy   citizens. 


MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN      7 

Xo  other  public  institution  offers  so  fitting  an  opportunity 
for  a  public-spirited  citizen  to  help  his  neighbors  and  win 
their  approval   and  affection. 

A  library  in  would  be  the  center  of  our 

intellectual  life  and  would  stimulate  the  growth  of  all 
kinds  of  clubs  for  study  and  debating. 

It  is  a  great  part  of  our  education  to  know  how  to  find 
facts.  Xo  man  knows  everything,  but  the  man  who  knows 
how  to  find  an  indispensable  fact  quickly  has  the  best  sub- 
>titute  for  such  knowledge.  We  need  a  librarj'  to  carry 
forward  in  a  better  manner  the  education  of  the  children 
who  leave  school:  to  give  them  a  better  chance  for  self- 
education.  We  need  it  to  give  thoughts  and  inspiration 
to  the  teachers  of  the  people,  those  who  in  the  schoolroom 
or  pulpit,  on  tlie  rostrum,  or  with  the  pen  attempt  to  in- 
struct or  lead  their  fellow  citizens.  We  need  it  to  help  our 
mechanics  in  their  employments,  to  give  them  the  best 
thoughts  of  the  best  workers  in  their  lines,  whether  these 
thoughts  come  in  books  or  papers  or  magazines. 

WISCOXSIX  FREE  LIBRARY  COMMISSIOX. 

Tiie  public  library  is  an  adult  school;  it  is  a  perpetual 
and  life-long  continuation  class:  it  is  the  greatest  educa- 
tional factor  that  we  have:  and  the  librarian  is  i)ecoming 
our  most  important  teacher  and  guide. 

SIR  WALTER  BESANT. 


WHAT  A  LIBRARY  DOES  FOR  A  TOWN 

1  Completes  its  educational  equipment,  carrying  on 
and  giving  permanent  value  to  the  work  of  the  schools. 

2  Gives  the  children  of  all  classes  a  chance  to  know 
and  love  the  best  in  literature.  Without  the  public  library 
such  a  chance  is  limitid   to  the  very  few. 

.3  Minimizes  the  sale  and  reading  of  vicious  literature 
in  the  community,  thus  promoting  mental  and  moral 
lualth. 

4  Effects  a  great  saving  in  money  to  every  reader  in 
the  community.  The  library  is  tlic  ai)plication  of  common 


S      MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN 

sense  to  the  problem  of  supply  and  demand.  Through  it 
every  reader  in  the  town  can  secure  at  a  given  cost  from 
lOO  to  looo  times  the  material  for  reading  or  study  that 
he  could  secure  by  acting  individually. 

5  Appealing  to  all  classes,  sects  and  degrees  of  intel- 
ligence, it  is  a  strong  unifying  factor  in  the  life  of^  town. 

6  The  library  is  the  one  thing  in  which  every  town, 
however  poor  or  isolated,  can  have  something  as  good  and 
in>piring  as  the  greatest  city  can  offer.  Neither  Boston 
nor  New  York  can  provide  better  books  to  its  readers 
than  the  humblest  town  library  can  easily  own  and  supply. 

7  Slowly  but  inevitably  raises  the  intellectual  tone  of 
a  place. 

8  Adds  to  the  material  value  of  property.  Real  estate 
agents  in  the  suburbs  of  large  cities  never  fail  to  adver- 
tise the  presence  of  a  library,  if  there  be  one,  as  giving 
added  value  to  the  lots  or  houses  they  have  for  sale. 

A.  W.  in  NEW  YORK  LIBRARIES. 


HELPFUL   THINGS     DONE   BY     LIBRARIES    FOR 
TEACHERS  AND    CHILDREN 

1  Graded  lists  (sometimes  annotated)  of  books  suitable 
for  children  are  printed  as  part  of  the  library's  finding 
lists. 

2  Bulletins  of  books  for  special  days  are  printed. 

3  Lists  of  books  on  special  subjects  are  printed. 

4  Topics  being  studied  in  the  schools  are  illustrated 
by  special  exhibits  at  the  libraries. 

5  Study  rooms  in  the  libraries  are  maintained  for  the 
pupils  of  the  high  schools  and  the  higher  grammar  grades. 

6  Children's  or  young  people's  rooms  are  maintained 
at  the  libraries,  where  the  children  may  come  into  person- 
al contact  with  a  trained  children's  librarian  and  with  hun- 
dreds of  books  on  open  shelves. 

7  Story  hours  or  readings  for  children  are  conducted 
at  the  libraries. 

8  Training  in  reference  work,  in  the  use  of  books 
and   libraries,    in    the   use   of   finding   lists,   card    catalogs. 


MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN     9 

indexes,  etc.,  is  given  bj-  Hbrarj^  assistants:  (a)  to  teachers 
at  the  librarj-;  (b)  at  the  librarj-  to  individual  pupils  and 
classes  that  come  there^  (c)  at  the  schools  to  the  pupils 
in  their  rooms. 

9  Lectures  on  classification,  bibliographies,  and  cata- 
logs are  given  by  members  of  the  library  staff  for  teach- 
ers and  normal  school  students. 

10  Special  stud}'  rooms  for  teachers  are  provided. 

11  Special  educational  collections  are  shelved  for  use 
by  the  teachers. 

12  Cases  of  about  50  books  (traveling  libraries  as  it 
were)  are  prepared  by  libraries  and  sent  to  schoolrooms 
to  remain  for  a  year  or  less,  teachers  to  issue  books  for 
home  use. 

13  Branch  reading — and  delivery — rooms  are  opened  in 
schools,  in  charge  of  library  assistants,  with  supply  of 
books  on  hand  for  circulation  and  facilities  for  drawing 
others  from  the  main  library. 

14  Assistant  librarians  are  placed  in  charge  of  work 
with  schools. 

15  In  large  cities  complete  branch  libraries  are  estab- 
lished in  schools  on  the  outskirts  of  the  cities. 

16  Special  collections  of  books  arc  furnished  to  vaca- 
tion schools. 

17  Special  cards  are  issued  to  teachers  on  wliich  they 
may  draw  more  than  tlic  usual  number  of  volumes  at  a  time. 

18  Teachers  and  principals  are  allowed  to  draw  a  num- 
ber of  volumes  for  (a)  reading  by  children  at  school;  (b) 
reading  by  children  at  home. 

PUBLIC  LIBRARIES. 


LIBRARIES,  A  PUBLIC  BENEFACTION 

A  library  is  not  a  luxury;  it  is  not  for  the  cultured  few: 
it  is  not  merely  for  the  scientific;  it  is  not  for  any  intel- 
lectual cult  or  exclusive  literary  set.  It  is  a  great,  broad, 
universal  public  benefactir)n.  It  lifts  the  entire  communi- 
ty; it  is  the  rinht  arm  of  the  intellectual  development  of 
the   people,   ministering    to   the    wants   of    those    who   arc 


10     MATERIAL  1-OR  A   J'L  ISLIC  LIBKAKV  CAMPAIGN 

already  educated  and  spreading  a  universal  desire  for  edu- 
cation. It  is  the  upper  story  of  the  public  school  system, 
while  it  is  a  broad  field  wherein  ripe  scholars  may  find  a 
fuller  training  fur  tlicir  already  highly  developed  faculties. 
It  is  above  all  a  splendid  instrument  for  the  education  and 
culture  of  those  vast  masses  of  boys  and  girls  that  are 
denied  the  high  privileges  of  the  systematic  training  of 
the  schools.  C.  C.  THACH. 

The  function  of  tlic  library  as  an  institution  of  socictj', 
is  the  development  and  enrichment  of  human  life  in  tlic 
entire  community  by  bringing  to  all  the  people  the  books 
that  belong  to  them. 

SALOME  CUTLER  FAIRCHILD. 


MEANING  OF  THE  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 

Cities  and  towns  are  now  for  the  first  time,  and  chiefiy 
in  this  country,  erecting  altars  to  the  gods  of  good  fel- 
lowship, joy  and  learning.  These  altars  are  our  public 
libraries.  We  had  long  ago  our  buildings  of  city  and 
state,  our  halls  of  legislation,  our  courts  of  justice.  But 
these  all  speak  more  or  less  of  wrongdoing,  of  justice  and 
injustice,  of  repression.  Most  of  them  touch  on  partisan- 
ship and  bitterness  of  feeling.  We  have  had,  since  many 
centuries,  in  all  our  cities,  the  many  meeting  places  of  re- 
ligious sects — our  chapels,  cliurclies  and  cathedrals.  The^' 
stand  for  so  much  that  is  good,  but  they  have  not  brought 
together  the  communities  in  which  they  are  placed.  A 
church  is  not  always  the  center  of  the  best  life  of  all  who 
live  within  the  shadow  of  its  spire. 

For  several  generations  we  have  been  building  temples 
to  the  gods  of  learning  and  good  citizenship — our  schools. 
And  they  have  come  nearer  to  bringing  together  for  the 
highest  purpose  the  best  impulses  of  all  of  us  than  have 
any  other  institutions.  P.ut  they  are  all  not  yet,  as  some 
day  they  will  be,  for  both  old  and  young.  Then  they 
speak  of  discipline,  of  master  and  pupil,  instead  only  of 
pure  and  simple  fellowship  in  studies. 


MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN     11 

And  so  we  are  for  the  first  time  in  all  history,  building, 
in  our  public  libraries,  temples  of  happiness  and  wisdom 
common  to  us  all.  No  other  institution  which  society  has 
brought  forth  is  so  wide  in  its  scope;  so  universal  in  its 
appeal;  so  near  to  every  one  of  us;  so  inviting  to  both 
young  and  old:  so  fit  to  teach,  without  arrogance,  the 
ignorant  and.  without  faltering,  the  wisest. 

The  public  library  is  to  be  the  center  of  all  the  activi- 
ties that  make  for  social  etificiency.  It  is  to  do  more  to 
bind  into  one  civic  whole  and  to  develop  the  feeling  that 
you  are  citizens  of  no  mean  cit\%  than  any  other  institu- 
tion you  have  yet  established  or  tlian  we  can  as  yet  con- 
ceive. J.   C.  DANA. 

PUBLIC     LIBRARIES.     A     WORLD-WIDE     MOVE- 
MENT 

The  world-wide  library  movement  of  the  past  few  years 
is  an  important  factor  in  the  educational  world.  The  pub- 
lic library  is  now  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  effective 
of  the  preventive  measures  advocated  by  modern  social 
students.  It  is  considered  an  essential  part  of  any  system 
of  public  education,  affording  opportunity  for  self-educa- 
tion, and  supplementing  the  average  five  years  of  school 
life.  Educators  now  realize  that  the  school  offers  but  the 
beginning  of  education,  and  that  the  library  is  its  necessary 
complement  and  supplement.  Tliis  increase  of  library  fa- 
cilities has  greatly  influenced  school  work,  in  bringing 
home  to  teachers  the  fact  that  it  is  as  important  to  teach 
what  to  read  as  to  give  chiUlren  the  ability  to  read.  Tlie 
library  of  to-day  is  not  wholly  for  recreation,  but  it  is  tiie 
people's  university.  It  is  entitled  to  the  same  considera- 
tion which  is  given  to  the  public  schools,  and  to  the  same 
sort  of  support.  Tlie  wliole  conception  <if  tlu-  lilir.iry  has 
changed  ;is  practic.il  nun  of  affairs  Iiave  come  to  llie  re.tli- 
/ation  of  the  fact  that  tliey  must  liave  accessi!)lc  the  rec- 
ords of  past  experience  and  experiments. 

OREGON   LiiJR.XKV  COMMISSION. 


12     MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN 

THE  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 

We  all  believe  in  public  libraries.  We  frequently  dis- 
cuss the  library  we  are  to  get  "bye  and  bye."  We  do  not 
find  tbat  it  is  lielping  tlie  boys  and  girls  who  arc  growing 
up  in  our  town  now.  Will  the  next  generation  need  it 
more  than  this?  Will  the  children  of  the  next  generation 
be  dearer  to  us  than  tiie  boys  and  girls  that  now  cheer 
our  firesides?  Will  tliey  use  a  lil)rary  better  because  their 
parents  have  not  had  sucli  privileges? 

We  all  want  a  library,  for  ourselves,  for  our  neighbors, 
for  the  good  name  of  our  village.  Why  not  get  it  now 
and  be  getting  the  good  out  of  it? 

It  is  only  a  question  of  mctliod. 

The  library  when  built  ^lumld  l)enetit  all  the  people,  and 
therefore  it  should  be  built  by  all  the  people.  Give  us  all 
a  chance  to  help,  and  then  tlie  library  will  belong  to  all 
of    us. 

WISCONSIxX  FREE  LIBRARY  COMMISSION. 


LIBRARIES  AND  HAPPINESS 

The  great  purpose  of  a  public  library  is  to  promote  and 
unite  intelligence.  It  brings  together  the  products  of  the 
wise  minds  of  the  world.  It  holds  within  its  walls  a  col- 
lection of  all  the  wise  and  witty  things  ever  said:  these  it 
marks  and  indexes  and  ofifers  to  its  friends. 

It  is  in  its  community  a  sort  of  intellectual  minuteman, 
always  ready  to  supply  to  every  comer  something  of  inter- 
est and  pleasure.  It  puts  good  books,  and  no  others,  into 
the  hands  of  children.  It  tells  about  Cinderella  and  in- 
forms you  on  riots  in  Moscow.  It  offers  you  a  novel  of 
modern  Japan  and  a  history  of  Venice  of  the  past.  It 
knows  about  the  milk  in  the  cocoanut,  the  floods  of  the 
river  Xile.  the  advantages  of  education,  the  evils  of  legis- 
lation, how  to  plan  a  home,  why  bread  won't  rise,  and  can 
tell  more  about  the  mental  failings  that  give  Jamaica  and 
Venezuela  trouble  than  most  of  our  congressmen  ever 
dreamed  of. 


MATERIAL  FOR  A   PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN     13 

Reading  is  the  short  cut  into  the  heart  of  life.  If  you 
are  talking  with  a  group  of  friends  about,  for  example, 
different  parts  of  the  United  States,  and  some  one  hap- 
pens to  mention  a  city  or  town  in  which  you  have  lived, 
note  how  your  interest  quickens,  and  how  eager  you  are 
to  hear  news  of  the  place  or  to  tell  of  your  experience 
in  it.  This  is  a  simple  every-day  fact.  The  same  thing 
you  have  observed  a  thousand  times  about  any  subject  or 
talk  with  which  you  may  be  familiar.  We  learn  about 
many  things  just  by  keeping  alive  and  moving  round! 
Those  things  we  have  learned  about  we  can't  help  being 
interested  in.  That  is  the  way  we  are  made.  If  we  knew 
about  more  things  our  interests  would  be  greater  in  num- 
ber, keener,  more  satisfying;  we  would  talk  more,  ask 
more  questions,  be  more  alert,  get  more  pleasure. 

The  lesson  from  this  is  plain  enough:  if  you  wish  to 
have  a  good  time,  learn  something.  You  like  to  meet  old 
friends.  Your  brain,  also,  likes  to  come  across  things  it 
knows  already,  to  renew  acquaintance  with  the  knowledge 
it  has  stored  away  and  half  forgotten.  The  pleasures  of 
recognition  and  association;  the  delights  of  renewing  your 
friendships  with  your  own  ideas  are  many,  easy  to  get. 
never  failing.  But  if  you  wish  to  have  interests  and  de- 
lights in  good  plenty  you  must  know  of  many  things.  If 
you  wish  to  be  happy,  learn  something. 

This  sounds  like  advice  to  a  student.  It  is  not,  it  is  a 
suggestion  to  the  wayfarer.  For  this  learning  process  may 
be  as  delightful  as  it  is  to  gather  flowers  by  the  roadside 
in  a  summer  walk.  J.  C.  DANA. 

LIBRARY  WORTH  SELF-DENIAL 

An  inexhaustible  mine  of  pleasure  is  open  for  the  boy 
or  girl  who  loves  good  books  and  has  access  to  tluin. 
Without  effort  on  the  part  of  the  parent  they  are  ki'i)t 
off  the  street  and  fr<jni  the  company  of  the  iillc  and  vi- 
cious and  are  storing  tlieir  minds  witli  useful  knowleilge, 
or  are  being  taught  high  ideals  and  n<)I)Ic  purpose'^.  Thu^ 
they  rjevclop  into  men  and  women  who  are  an  Imnur  ti> 
their  pan-iits  and   worthy  citizens  of  our  great  re  public. 


14     MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN 

Such  is  the  product  of  a  Free  Public  Library.  Is  it  not 
worth  the  small  pittance  it  will  cost?  Many  a  laboring 
man  spends  more  money  in  a  week  for  tobacco  than  the 
maintenance  of  a  library  would  cost  him  in  a  year.  Is 
not  the  education  and  the  development  of  our  bright  boys 
and  girls  worth  a  little  self-denial? 

We  all  desire  that  our  children  shall  have  better  oppor- 
tunities than  we  have  had,  and  not  have  to  work  as  we 
have  worked.  Here  is  an  opportunity  to  help  them  help 
themselves,  which  is  the  very  best  help  that  can  be  given 
any  one.  Let  's  be  "boosters"  and  help  ourselves,  help  our 
town,  and  help  our  boys  and  girls  by  unitedly  supporting 
the  library  proposition. 

IOWA  LIBRARY  COMMISSION. 

REASONS    FOR    HAVING    A    FREE    PUBLIC 

LIBRARY 

Public  libraries  have  without  delay  become  an  essential 
part  of  a  public  education  system  and  are  as  clearly  useful 
as  the  public  schools.  They  are  not  only  classed  witli 
schools,  but  have  generally  become  influential  adjuncts  of 
the  public  schools.  The  number  of  readers  is  rapidly  in- 
creasing and  the  character  of  the  books  is  constantly  im- 
proving. 

Xot  infrequently  the  objection  is  heard  that  the  public 
libraries  arc  opening  the  doors  to  light  and  useless  books; 
that  reading  can  be.  and  often  is,  carried  to  a  vicious  and 
enervating  excess,  and  therefore  tliat  the  libraries'  influ- 
ence is  doubtful  and  on  the  whole  not  good.  This  argu- 
ment does  not  need  elaborate  exposure. 

The  main  purpose  of  the  library  is  to  counteract  and 
check  the  circulation  and  influence  of  the  empty  and  not 
infrequently  vicious  books  that  are  so  rife.  A  visit  to  any 
nev.s-stand  will  disclose  a  world  of  low  and  demoralizing 
■■penny  dreadfuls"  and  other  trash.  These  are  bought  by 
boys  and  girls  because  they  want  to  read  and  can  nowhere 
else  obtain  reading  material.  This  deluge  of  worthless 
periodicals  and  books  can  Ije  counteracted  only  by  gratui- 
tous supplies  from  the  public  library. 


MATERIAL  FOR  A   PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGX     15 

Whether  these  counteracting  books  be  fiction  or  not, 
the}-  maj'  be  pure  and  harmless,  and  often  of  intellectual 
merit  and  moral  excellence.  The  question  is  not  whether 
people  shall  read  fiction — for  read  it  they  will — but 
whether  they  are  to  have  good  fiction  instead  of  worthless 
and  harmful  trash. 

The  tendency  to  read  inferior  books  can  soon  be  checked 
by  a  good  library.  If  the  attention  of  the  children  in 
school  is  directed  to  good  books,  and  the  free  library  con- 
tains such  books,  there  will  be  no  thought  of  the  news- 
stand as  the  place  for  finding  reading  matter. 

The  economical  reason  for  establishing  free  public  li- 
braries is  the  fact  that  public  officers  and  public  taxation 
manage  and  support  them  efficiently  and  make  them  avail- 
able to  the  largest  number  of  readers.  By  means  of  a  free 
library  there  is  the  best  utilization  of  effort  and  of  re- 
sources at  a  small  cost  to  individuals. 

While  a  private  library  may  greatly  delight  and  improve 
the  owner  and  his  immediate  circle  of  friends,  it  is  a  lux- 
ury to  which  he  and  they  only  can  resort. 

A  library  charging  a  fee  may  bring  comfort  to  a  re- 
spectable board  of  directors  by  ministering  to  a  small  and 
financially  independent  circle  of  book-takers,  by  its  free- 
dom from  the  rush  of  numerous  and  eager  readers,  and 
by  strict  conformity  to  the  notions  and  vagaries  of  the 
managers.  But  such  a  library  never  realizes  the  highest 
utility.  The  greater  part  of  the  books  lie  untouched  upon 
the  shelves,  and  compared  with  the  free  library  it  is  a 
lame  and  impotent  aff^air. 

The  books  of  a  public  library  actively  pervade  the  com- 
munity; they  reach  and  are  influential  with  very  large 
numbers  and  the  utility  of  the  common  possession — books 
— is  multiiilicd  without  limit.  Before  several  of  our  towns 
lies  the  question  of  opening  to  all  what  is  now  limited  to 
those  who  pay  a  fee.  This  is  not  merely  a  limitation — it 
is  practically  a  prohibition. 

Whether  right  or  wrong,  human  beings  as  at  present 
constituted  will  not  frequent  in  large  numbers  libraries 
tliat  charge  a  lee.    The  spirit  of  the  age  and  the  tendency 


l(j     MATERIAL  I'OK   A    Pini.lC   LIDKARY   IWMIWICN 

of  liberal  coiniminilics  arr  entirely  in  favor  of  furnishing 
tills  means  of  education  and  amusement  without  charge. 
Certainly  towns  which  can  maintain  by  taxation,  paupers, 
parks,  higlnvays  and  schools  have  no  reasonable  ground 
for  denying  free  reading  to  tluir  inhabitants. 

These  towns  spend  vast  sums  of  money  in  providing 
education,  and  yet  omit  the  small  extra  expenditure  which 
would  enable  young  men  and  women  to  continue  their 
education. 

The  experience  of  Library  Commissions  of  various 
states  has  amply  demonstrated  that  libraries  and  literature 
are  sought  for  and  appreciated  quite  as  mucli  by  rural 
communities  as  by  tlie  larger  towns,  and  not  infre(iuently 
the  appreciation  is  apparently  keener,  because  of  the  ab- 
sence of  interests  and  amusements  other  than  those  pro- 
vided by  the  library.  There  is  now  no  real  reason  why 
every  part  of  this  state  may  not  enjoy  tlie  advantages  and 
pleasures  of  book  distribution,  for  concentration  of  effort 
in  the  small  towns  elsewhere  has  provided  efficient,  at- 
tractive and  economical  libraries,  and  could  as  well  do  so 
liere.  F.  A.  HUTCHINS. 

MISSION  OF  THE  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 

It  is  our  business  in  tliis  country  to  get  at  tlie  best  meth- 
ods to  govern  ourselves.  How  many  of  our  ])cst  people 
have  paused  to  reflect  on  what  that  means,  and  on  all  it 
means?  It  means  that  now  we  have  about  80,000,000  of 
sovereigns.  It  was  all  very  well  when  wc  were  a  little 
confederation  of  homogeneous  stock  stretching  along  the 
Atlantic  sea-board.  We  had  our  dissensions  then,  but  our 
population  was  permeated  with  the  principles  of  our  gov- 
ernment. In  one  hundred  years  wc  have  swelled  from  a 
handful  to  80,000,000,  and  a  large  part  of  them  made  up  of 
additions  from  the  nations  of  the  earth,  and  not  the  self- 
governing  nations.  .And  the  problem  is  to  educate  the 
children  of  these,  as  well  as  our  own  cliildrcn,  in  tlie  prin- 
ciples of  that  government  of  which  they  arc  an  essentia) 
and   vital  part. 


MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN     17 

This  is  the  first  problem,  and  if  it  is  not  attended  to, 
our  gOAernment  will  crumble  away  and  decay  from  neg- 
lect. We  do  not  want  denizens  in  this  state  and  this  na- 
tion, we  want  citizens.  We  do  not  want  ward  politics, 
but  we  do  want  government  as  our  forefathers  understood 
it.  And  it  is  the  duty  of  every  right-minded  citizen  to 
work  unfalteringly  for  this  end.  The  question  is  one  of 
expediency. 

We  want  citizens.  And  the  public  school  and  the  pub- 
lic library  are  the  places  where  citizens  are  made.  There- 
fore we  must  labor  for  and  support  these  institutions 
first  and  foremost.  To  a  very  great  extent,  the  librarian 
is  the  custodian  of  public  morals  and  the  moulder  of  pub- 
lic men. 

The  librarian  must,  and  he  usually  does,  feel  his  re- 
sponsibility. The  word  "responsibility"  should  be  given 
e(|ual  weight  with  the  word  'iibertj'"  and  emblazoned  be- 
side it,  and  it  is  these  two  things  that  the  public  libra- 
rian through  his  knowledge  of  good  literature  must  im- 
press upon  our  coming  generations — "liberty  and  respon- 
sibility." WINSTON   CHURCHILL. 

LIBRARY  EXTENSION 

Our  public  scliools  arc  doing  a  great  work,  but,  after 
all,  "the  older  generation  remains  untouched,  and  the  as- 
similation of  the  younger  can  hardly  be  complete  or  cer- 
tain as  long  as  the  homes  of  the  parents  remain  compara- 
tively unaffected."  For  those  whose  early  education  has 
been  neglected  either  by  reason  of  family  circumstances 
or  because  of  wayward  disposition,  and  who  realize  tluir 
need  before  it  is  too  late,  there  are  night  schools,  busi- 
ness courses  and  correspondence  sciiool  courses,  with  tlic 
minor  advantages  and  stimulus  offered  l)y  public  lecture 
rrturses.  Volunteer  study  clubs  and  societies  for  research 
arc  being  organized  in  great  numbers.  And,  more  potent 
and  more  forceful,  more  universal  in  its  application  tlian 
all  these  because  better  organized,  better  equipped  ;ind 
readier   to   avail   itself  of   all    existing  afiiliating  agencies,   is 


IS     MM  ERIAL  1-OR  A   PLBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN 

tluit  national  movement  wliicli  lias  become  known  for  want 
ul'  a  better  term  as  library  extension. 

Library  extension  aims  to  supply  to  every  man,  woman 
and  child,  cither  through  its  own  resources  or  by  co-oper- 
ation with  other  affiliated  agencies,  what  each  community, 
or  anj-  group  in  any  community,  or  any  individual  in  the 
community  may  require  for  mental  stimulus,  intellectual 
recreation  or  practical  knowledge  and  information  useful 
in  one's  daily  occupation. 

HENRY   E.   LEGLER. 

The  opening  of  a  free  puljlic  library  is  a  most  important 
event  in  the  history  of  any  town.  A  college  training  is 
an  excellent  thing;  but,  after  all,  the  better  part  of  every 
man's  education  is  that  which  he  gives  himself,  and  it  is 
for  this  that  a  good  lil)rary  should  furnish  the  opportun- 
ity and  the  means.  All  that  is  primarily  needful  in  order 
to  use  a  library  is  tlie  ability  to  read;  primarily,  for  there 
must  also  be  the  inclination,  and  after  that,  some  guidance 
in  reading  well. 

JAMES   RUSSELL  LOWELL. 

THE    LIBRARY— PLEASURE   AND    PROFIT 

We  cannot  remind  ourselves  too  frcciuently  that  a  fun- 
damental i)urposc  of  good  books,  and  so  of  the  library 
which  possesses  them,  is  to  give  pleasure,  and  that  the  li- 
brary ought  to  be  more  closely  and  peculiarly  associated 
with  pleasure  than  any  other  institution  supported  by  the 
public. 

Life  for  most  of  us  is  suf^ciently  dull  and  colorless. 
The  workday  aspect  of  the  world  is  always  with  us  and 
oppresses  us.  For  the  average  man  and  woman,  whose  ed- 
ucation has  been  limited,  whose  imagination  has  lacked 
all  wider  opportunity  for  cultivation,  the  easiest  escape 
from  the  cares  of  daily  life,  from  the  depressing  monot- 
ony of  daily  routine,  will  be  through  the  avenue  opened 
by  the  story,  the  people's  road  out  of  a  care-filled  life, 
ever  since   the   days   of  "Arabian   Nights."    Such   readers 


MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBR.iRY  CAMFAIGX      19 

as  these  desire  fiction  and  ought  to  have  it.  If  their 
imagination  can  be  cultivated  to  the  point  of  reaching 
similar  freedom  from  care  through  poetry-,  througli  tlie 
drama,  or  through  any  of  the  higher  forms  of  literature, 
so  much  the  better.  The  librarj-'s  message  is  to  men  and 
women  cramped  b}'  toil  and  narrowed  by  routine,  ever 
seeking  some  way  out  of  this  troublesome  world  into  that 
larger  realm  which  is  more  trulj-  ours  because  it  is  our 
creation  and  that  of  our  fellows.  This  wider  world,  in 
its  friendliness  and  homelikencss,  the  library  must  repre- 
sent. 

The  library  is  where  the  readers  are  introduced  to  the 
friendship  of  authors  and  their  books.  There  they  are  at 
home  and  there  we  too  may  be  at  home.  Old  and  young, 
rich  and  poor,  wise  and  simple,  men  and  women  and  chil- 
dren, there  we  may  meet  new  friends  on  kindly  and  famil- 
iar terms  and  widen  our  thoughts  as  we  learn  of  their 
wisdom  and  their  wit.  Still  better,  there  we  may  renew 
our  acquaintance  with  old  friends  and  feel  the  contracted 
horizon  of  our  lives  again  enlarge  as  we  meet  them  once 
more.  New  friends  and  old,  they  all  greet  us  with  an 
assured  welcome  and  yield  to  us  the  best  which  they  can 
give,  or  we  receive.  We  come  to  them  not  to  learn  les- 
sons but  to  be  with  them  for  a  little  while  and  to  live 
with  them  that  larger  and  truer  life  which  their  presence 
creates  for  us. 

Thus  the  library  performs  its  high  and  noble  duty  of 
helping  men  to  live,  "not  by  bread  alone,  but  by  every 
word  of  God,"  who,  through  good  books,  has  been  speak- 
ing to  the  generations  of  mtn  not  only  for  their  instruc- 
tion but  even  more  for  their  delight.  E.  .'\.  RTRGE. 

VALUE  OF  FREE  LIBRARIES 

The  best  proof  of  the  value  of  public  libraries  lies  in  the 
cordial  support  given  them  by  all  the  i)c'0])lc,  when  they 
are  manage*!  on  broad,  sensible  lines.  Sudi  institutions 
contribute  to  the  fund  of  wholesome  recreation  tliat 
sweetens  life  and  to  the  wider  knowledge  that  broadens  it. 


20     MATERIAL  FOR  A    PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN 

They  give  ambition,  knowledge  and  inspiration  to  boys  and 
girls  from  sordid  liomcs,  and  win  them  from  various 
forms  of  dissipation.  Tlioy  form  a  central  home  where 
citizens  of  all  creeds  and  conditions  find  a  common  ground 
of  useful  endeavor. 

Libraries  are  needed  to  furnisli  tlie  pupils  of  our  schools 
the  incentive  and  tlic  opportunity  for  wider  study;  to 
teach  tlu-m  "tlie  art  and  science  of  reading  for  a  purpose," 
to  give  to  boys  and  girls  with  a  hidden  talent  the  chance 
to  discover  and  develop  it:  to  give  to  mechanics  and  arti- 
sans a  chance  to  know  what  their  ambitious  fellows  are 
doing;  to  give  men  and  women,  weary  and  worn  from 
treading  a  narrow  round,  excursions  in  fresh  and  delightful 
fields;  to  give  to  clubs  for  study  and  recreation,  material 
for  better  work,  and,  last  but  not  least,  to  give  wholesome 
employment  to  all  classes  for  those  idle  hours  that  wreck 
more  lives  tlian  any  other  cause.  F.  A.  HUTCHINS. 

"Even  now  many  wise  men  are  agreed  that  the  love  of 
books,  as  mere  things  of  sentiment,  and  the  reading  of 
good  books,  as  mere  habit,  are  incomparably  better  re- 
sults of  schooling  than  any  of  the  definite  knowledge 
which  the  best  of  teachers  can  store  into  pupils'  minds. 
Teaching  how  to  read  is  of  less  importance  in  the  intelli- 
gence of  a  generation  than  the  teaching  what  to  read." 

THE  BOOKLESS   MAN 

The  bookless  man  does  not  understand  his  own  loss. 
He  does  not  know  the  leanness  in  which  his  mind  is  kept 
Ijy  want  of  the  food  which  he  rejects.  He  does  not 
know  what  starving  of  imagination  and  of  thought  he  has 
inflicted  upon  himself.  He  has  suffered  his  interest  in 
the  things  which  make  up  God's  knowable  universe  to 
shrink  until  it  reaches  no  farther  than  his  eyes  can  see 
and  his  ears  can  hear.  The  books  which  he  scorns  are 
the  telescopes  and  reflectors  and  reverberators  of  our  in- 
tellectual life,  holding  in  themselves  a  hundred  magical 
powers   for   the   overcoming  of   space   and   time,   and   for 


MATERIAL   FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAICX     21 

giving  the  range  of  knowledge  which  belongs  to  a  really 
cultivated  mind.  There  is  no  equal  substitute  for  them. 
There  is  nothing  else  which  will  so  break  for  us  the  poor 
hobble  of  everyday  sights  and  sounds  and  habits  and 
tasks,  bj-  which  our  thinking  and  feeling  are  naturally 
tethered  to  a  little  worn  round.  J.  N.  LARNED. 


THE  LIBRARY'S  EDUCATIONAL  MISSION 

To  the  great  mass  of  boys  and  girls  the  school  can 
barely  give  the  tools  with  which  to  get  an  education  be- 
fore they  are  forced  to  begin  their  life  work  as  breadwin- 
ners. Few  are  optimistic  enough  to  hope  that  we  can 
change  this  condition  very  rapidly.  The  great  problem 
of  the  day  is,  therefore,  to  carry  on  the  education  after 
the  elementary  steps  have  been  taken  in  the  free  public 
schools.  There  are  numerous  agencies  at  work  in  this  di- 
rection— reading  rooms,  reference  and  lending  libraries, 
museums,  summer,  vacation  and  night  schools,  corre- 
spondence and  other  forms  of  extension  teaching:  l)ut  I)y 
far  the  greatest  agent  is  good  reading.  An  educational 
system  which  contents  itself  with  teaching  to  read  and 
then  fails  to  see  that  the  best  reading  is  provided,  when 
undesirable  reading  is  so  cheap  and  plentiful  as  to  be 
a  constant  menace  to  the  public  good,  is  as  inconsistent 
and  absurd  as  to  teach  our  children  the  expert  use  of  tlie 
knife,  fork  and  spoon,  and  then  provide  them  witli  no 
food.  The  most  important  movement  before  the  profes- 
sional educators  to-day,  is  the  broadening  going  on  so 
rapidly  in  tlieir  duties  to  their  profession  and  to  the  pub- 
lic. Too  many  have  thought  of  their  work  as  limited 
to  schools  for  the  young  during  a  short  period  of  tuition. 
The  true  conception  is  that  we  should  be  responsible  for 
higher  as  well  as  elementary  education,  for  adults  as  well 
as  for  children,  for  educational  work  in  the  homes  as  well 
as  in  the  schoolhouses,  and  during  life  as  well  as  for  a 
limited  course.  In  a  nutshell,  tlie  motto  of  the  extended 
work  should  l)e  "higher  education  for  adults,  at  home, 
during  life."  MELVIL  DEWEY. 


22     MATERIAL  FOR  A    Pl'HLIC  LIBRARY  CAMl'AlUX 

THE  FREEDOM  OF  BOOKS 

The  free  town  library  is  wholly  a  product  of  the  last 
half  century.  It  is  the  crowning  creature  of  democracy  for 
its  own  higher  culture.  There  is  nothing  conceivable  to 
surpass  it  as  an  agency  in  popular  education.  Schools, 
colleges,  lectures,  classes,  clubs  and  societies,  scientific  and 
literary,  are  tributaries  to  it — primaries,  feeders.  It  takes 
up  the  work  of  all  of  them  to  utilize  it,  to  carry  it  on, 
and  make  more  of  it.  Future  time  will  perfect  it,  and 
will  perfect  the  institutions  out  of  which  and  over  which 
it  has  grown;  but  it  is  not  possible  for  the  future  to  bring 
any  new  gift  of  enlightenment  to  men  that  will  be  greater, 
in  kind,  than  the  free  diffusion  of  thought  and  knowledge 
as  stored  in  the  better  literature  of  the  world. 

The  true  literature  that  we  garner  in  our  libraries  is 
the  deathless  thought,  the  immortal  trutli,  the  imperish- 
able quickenings  and  revelations  which  genius — the  rare 
gift  to  now  and  then  one  of  the  human  race — has  been 
frugally,  steadily  planting  in  the  fertile  soil  of  written 
speech,  from  the  generations  of  the  hymn  writers  of  the 
F.uphrates  and  the  Indus  to  the  generations  now  alive. 
There  is  nothing  save  the  air  we  breathe  that  we  have 
common  rights  in  so  sacred  and  so  clear,  and  there  is  no 
other  public  treasure  which  so  reasonably  demands  to  be 
kept  and  cared  for  and  distributed  for  common  enjoy- 
ment at  common  cost. 

Free  corn  in  old  Rome  bribed  a  mob  and  kept  it  pas- 
sive. By  free  books  and  what  goes  with  them  in  modern 
America  we  mean  to  erase  the  mob  from  existence.  There 
lies  the  cardinal  difference  between  a  civilization  which 
perished  and  a  civilization  tliat  will  endure. 

J.  N.  LARNED. 

GOOD  BOOKS 

The  library  offers  the  advantages  of  good  society  to 
many  who  could  not  otherwise  enjoy  them.  This  is  one 
of  the  most  important  influences  that  tells  on  individual 
character.     A  man  is  not  only  known  by  the  company  he 


MATERIAL  l=OR  A   PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN     23 

keeps,  but  to  a  great  extent  he  is  made  or  unmade  by 
his  associates.  A  great  part  of  what  we  learn  and  much 
of  what  we  are  is  absorbed  unconsciously  from  our  en- 
vironment. 

Now  books  are  written — at  least  the  good  books — by 
men  and  women  of  the  better  sort.  They  are  people  of 
marked  intelligence  and  refinement.  They  have  just 
views  of  truth  and  duty  and  are  able  to  reveal  to  us 
many  secrets  respecting  the  life  that  is  being  lived  around 
us.  They  are  interpreters  and  guides  in  all  lines  of  human 
activity  and  service.  To  be  intimate  with  them  is  good 
society.  If  then  we  can  bring  all  these  choice  spirits 
by  their  books  into  our  village  and  introduce  them  to  our 
children  and  our  neighbors,  even  to  the  poorest,  and  let 
them  talk  to  all  who  will  listen,  we  have  done  something, 
we  have  done  much  to  raise  the  tone  of  general  intelli- 
gence and  refinement. 

Here  is  tlic  great  opportunity  to  reach  the  homes  of  the 
poor  and  the  careless  and  even  of  the  baser  sort  with  new 
light.  The  books  will  interest  and  meet  the  craving  for 
knowledge  which  everybody  has,  and  then  will  come  into 
confidential  relations  with  many  a  reader,  starting  new 
trains  of  thought,  suggesting  new  ideas,  offering  sympa- 
thy and  kindling  faith.  The  friendless  will  gain  friends 
and  these  friends  wdl  do  tlicm  good. 

In  such  ways,  this  institution,  the  public  library,  is  cal- 
culated to  enlarge  and  enrich  the  community's  life. 

WILLIAM  R.  EASTMAN. 

PLACE  AND  PURPOSE  OF  THE  PUBLIC  LIBRARY 

The  place  now  assigned  the  public  lilMary.  by  very  gen- 
eral con.scnt,  is  tiiat  of  an  integral  part  of  our  system  of 
public  and  free  education.  On  no  other  theory  lias  it  sure 
and  lasting  foundation;  on  no  other  theory  may  it  be  su])- 
])orted  by  general  taxation;  on  no  other  theory  can  it  be 
wisely  and  consistently  administered.  A  public  tax  can 
be  levied  for  tli'  maintenanc*'  <>f  a  ])ublic  library  only 
upon    tlie    principle    wliich    underlies    all    righteous    public 


21     MATERIAL  FOR  A   rVBUC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN 

taxation,  not  tliat  tlic  taxpayer  wants  something  and  will 
receive  it  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of  his  contrihntion, 
hut  tliat  the  puhlic  wants  something  of  such  general  in- 
terest and  value  tiiat  all  property-owners  may  be  asked 
and  required  to  contribute  towards  its  cost. 

The  demand  for  intelligent  and  eflfective  citizenship  is 
increasing  daily,  for  two  reasons:  First — The  problems 
of  public  life  and  of  public  service,  of  communal  exist- 
ence, are  daily  becoming  more  complex,  inore  difficult  of 
satisfactory  solution.  Second — We  are  recognizing  more 
clearly  than  ever  before  that  our  present  success  and  pres- 
tige are  due  to  the  fact  that  more  tlian  any  other  people 
in  the  world's  history  have  we  succeeded  in  securing  that 
active  participation  and  practical  co-operation  of  the  whole 
people  in  all  public  affairs.  In  the  whole  people  are  we 
finding  and  are  we  to  find  wholesomeness  and  strength. 

But  coincident  witli  this  discovery,  this  keen  realization 
of  the  place  and  value  of  all  in  advancing  the  common  in- 
terests of  all,  has  come  the  feeling:  First — That  the  com- 
mon public  schools  must  be  made  good  enough  for  all; 
and.  Second — That  even  at  their  best  they  are  insufficient. 
The  five  school  years  (average)  of  the  American  child 
constitute  a  very  narrow  portal  through  which  to  enter 
upon  the  privileges  and  duties  of  life,  as  we  desire  life 
to  be  to  every  child  born  under  the  flag.  There  is  need 
of  far  more  information,  instruction,  inspiration  and  up- 
lift than  can  possibly  be  secured  in  that  limited  time. 

Casting  about  for  a  satisfactory  supplement  and  com- 
plement for  the  public  schools,  we  find  the  public  library 
ready  to  render  exactly  this  service;  to  make  it  possible 
for  the  adult  to  continue  through  life  the  growth  begun 
in  childhood  in  the  public  school.  Only  in  this  way  and 
by  this  means  can  we  hope  to  continue  the  common 
.\merican  people  as  the  most  uncommon  people  which  the 
world  has  yet  known. 

Henceforth,  then,  these  two  must  go  hand  in  hand, 
neither  trenching  upon  the  field  of  the  other,  neither  bur- 
dening or  hampering  the  other,  each  helping  the  other. 
The    public   school    must    take    the    initiative,   determini"ng 


MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN     25 

lines  of  thought  and  work,  developing  in  each  child  the 
power  to  act  and  the  tendency  to  act.  making  full  use  of 
the  public  library  as  an  effective  ally  in  all  its  current 
work,  and  making  such  use  of  it  as  to  create  in  each  pu- 
pil the  library  habit,  to  last  through  life.  The  public  li- 
brary must  respond  by  every  possible  supplementary  ef- 
fort, by  most  intelligent  co-operation,  by  most  sympathetic 
and  effective  assistance,  and  by  giving  pupils  a  wel- 
come which  they  will  feel  holds  good  till  waning  physical 
powers  make  further  use  of  the  library  impossible. 
NATIONAL  EDUCATION  ASS'N   REPORT,  1906. 

The  most  imperative  duty  of  the  state  is  the  univer- 
sal education  of  the  masses.  No  money  which  can  be 
usefully  spent  for  this  indispensable  end  should  be  denied. 
Public  sentiment  should,  on  the  contrary,  approve  the 
doctrine  that  the  more  that  can  be  judiciously  spent,  the 
better  for  the  country.  There  is  no  insurance  of  nations 
so  cheap  as  the  enlightenment  of  the  people. 

ANDREW  CARNEGIE. 


PUBLIC     LIBRARY     IS     PUBLIC     CO-OPERATION 

A  public  library  is  the  flower  of  the  modern  forms  of 
co-operation,  which  secures  for  the  individual,  luxuries 
which  he  could  not  afford  otherwise. 

Instead  of  buying  so  many  books  and  magazines  which 
wear  out  on  the  shelves  after  one  reading,  let  us  "pool  our 
issues"  and  put  the  multitude  of  small  sums  in  one  fund, 
buy  the  best  at  the  lowest  prices,  and  then  use  the  vol- 
umes so  bought  for  the  good  of  all.  We  need  spend  no 
more  money  each  year  for  literature,  but  we  need  to  save 
the  wastage  due  to  unused  books,  foolish  purcliases,  book 
agents,  commissions,  and  needless  profits — and  we  can 
have  a  public  library  without  otlicr  cost. 

A  good  public  library  in  this  town  may  help  our  neigh- 
boring farmers  as  well  as  our  townspeople.  They  cannot 
support  public  libraries  in  their  small  communities.  Their 
small  school  libraries  give  the  children  a  taste  for  read- 


2ti     MATERIAL  I-OK  A   PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN 

ing,  but  give  tluin  nutliing  to  gralif}-  tliat  taste  when  tliey 
leave  school.  Let  us  join  our  forces  for  nuitual  advantage 
and  get  a  better  librar}-  and  a  wider  eonmiunit}'  of  inter- 
ests. 

WISCONSIN    FREE    LIBRARY   COMMISSION. 

USE  OF  LIBRARIES  FOR  REFERENCE 

An  ability  to  glean  information  quickly  and  accurately 
from  books  and  periodicals,  to  catch  a  fact  when  it  is 
needed  and  useful,  is  an  indispensable  factor  in  that  self- 
education  which  all  citizens  should  add  to  the  education 
obtained  in  the  schools.  The  schools  cannot  give  a  wide 
range  of  knowledge,  but  they  can  give  the  desire  for 
knowledge,  and  tlie  library  can  give  the  opportunity  to 
gain  it. 

Nearly  every  branch  tauglit  in  the  schools  may  be  liglit- 
ened  and  made  more  interesting  l)y  supplementary  infor- 
mation gained  from  a  good  library.  The  pupil  who  is 
studying  the  life  of  Washington  should  find  many  inter- 
esting facts  concerning  him  and  his  time  and  associates, 
not  given  in  any  of  the  formal  biographies.  lie  will  find 
an  article  on  Washington  in  the  "Young  Folks'  Cyclopedia 
of  Persons  and  Places,"  but  if  he  knows  how  to  use  the  in- 
dex he  can  find  fourteen  other  articles  in  the  same  vol- 
ume in  which  Washington  is  mentioned.  A  large  ency- 
clopedia will  give  scores  of  facts  wanted,  under  various 
articles  treating  of  important  events  in  the  latter  colo- 
nial and  earlier  national  history  of  our  country;  in  articles 
on  places,  customs,  epochs,  battles,  and  soldiers  and 
statesmen  who  were  Washington's  contemporaries. 

A  teacher  cannot  train  a  large  number  of  young  people 
to  habits  of  thorough  investigation  in  a  brief  time,  but 
she  can  easily  train  a  few,  one  or  two  at  a  time,  and  they 
will  help  to  train  others. 

F.  A.   HUTCmXS. 


MATERIAL  FOR  A   PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN     27 

THE  MODERN  LIBRARY  MOVEMENT 

The  modern  library  movement  is  a  movement  to  in- 
crease by  every  possible  means  the  accessibility  of  books, 
to  stimulate  their  reading  and  to  create  a  demand  for  the 
best.  Its  motive  is  helpfulness;  its  scope,  instruction  and 
recreation;  its  purpose,  tlie  enlightenment  of  all;  its  as- 
pirations, still  greater  usefulness.  It  is  a  distinctive 
movement,  because  it  recognizes,  as  never  before,  the  in- 
finite possibilities  of  the  public  library,  and  because  it  has 
done  everything  witliin  its  power  to  develop  those  possi- 
bilities. 

Among  the  peculiar  relations  that  a  library  sustains  to 
a  community,  which  the  movement  has  made  clear  and 
greatly  advanced,  are  its  relations  to  the  school  and  uni- 
versity extension.  The  education  of  an  individual  is  co- 
incident with  the  life  of  that  individual.  It  is  carried  on 
by  the  influences  and  appliances  of  the  family,  vocation, 
government,  the  church,  the  press,  the  school  and  the  li- 
brary. The  library  is  unsectarian,  and  hence  occupies  a 
field  independent  of  tlie  church.  It  furnishes  a  founda- 
tion for  an  intelligent  reading  of  paper  and  magazine.  It 
is  the  complement  and  supplement  of  the  school,  co-op- 
erating with  the  teacher  in  the  work  of  educating  the 
child,  and  furnisliing  the  means  for  continuing  that  edu- 
cation after  the  cliild  has  gone  out  from  the  scliool.  Tliose 
are  important  relations.  From  the  l)eginning  the  child 
is  taught  the  value  of  books.  In  the  kindergarten  period 
he  learns  that  they  contain  beautiful  pictures:  in  the  gram- 
mar grades  they  do  much  to  make  history  and  geogra- 
phy attractive:  in  the  liigli  school  they  are  indispensable 
as  works  of  reference. 

Were  it  not  for  the  liljrary,  liie  education  of  tlie  masses 
would,  in  most  cases,  cease  when  the  doors  of  the  school 
swung  in  after  them  for  the  last  time:  l)Ut  it  keeps  those 
doors  wide  open,  and  is,  in  the  truest  sense  of  the  word. 
the  university  of  the  people,  'ihe  library  is  as  much  a 
part  of  the  educational  system  of  a  community  as  the 
public  school,  and  is  coming  more  and  more  to  be  regard- 


28    MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN 

ed  witli  tlic  same  respect  and  supported  in  the  same  gen- 
erous manner. 

The  public  library  of  to-day  is  an  active,  potential  force, 
serving  the  present,  and  silently  helping  to  develop  the 
civilization  of  the  future.  The  spirit  of  the  modern  li- 
brary movement  whicli  surrounds  it  is  thoroughly  pro- 
gressive, and  tlioroughly  in  sympathy  with  the  people.  It 
believes  that  the  true  function  of  the  library  is  to  serve 
the  people,  and  that  the  only  test  of  success  is  usefulness. 

JOSEPH  LEROY  HARRISON. 


THE  PEOPLE'S  UNIVERSITY 

There  is  no  institution  so  intimately,  so  universally,  so 
constantly  connected  with  the  life  of  the  whole  people 
as  tlie  free  public  library — no  instrumentality  that  can  do 
so  much  to  civilize  society.  The  public  schools  alone  can- 
not accomplish  the  task  of  elevating  mankind  to  even  the 
most  modest  ideal  of  a  well  ordered  society. 

Our  public  schools  have  been  the  chief  source  of  the 
greater  general  intelligence  and  licnce  the  industrial  su- 
periority of  our  citizens  over  those  of  other  countries.  But 
the  public  schools  cannot  accomplish  impossibilities.  They 
are  not  to  blame  for  the  fact  that  they  can  reach  the  great 
majority  during  only  six  or  eight  years,  or  that  only  one 
and  one  half  per  cent  of  tlie  children  in  the  United  States 
go  through  the  high  school.  But  wherever  there  is  a 
public  library,  the  teachers  are  to  blame  if  they  do  not 
graduate  all  their  pupils,  at  whatever  age  they  may  leave 
school,  into  the  People's  University. 

General  intelligence  is  the  necessary  foundation  of  pros- 
perity and  social  order. 

The  public  library  is  one  of  the  chief  agencies,  if  not  the 
most  potent  and  far-reaching  agency,  for  promoting  gen- 
eral intelligence. 

Therefore,  money  devoted  to  the  maintenance  of  a  pub- 
lic library  is  money  well  invested  by  a  community. 

F.  M.  CRUXDEN. 


MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBR.IRY  CAMPAIGN     29 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY,  A  PUBLIC  NECESSITY 

Any  consideration  of  a  public  library  project  is  compli- 
mentary to  a  community,  sbowing,  as  it  does,  a  sense  of 
civic  responsibility  and  a  desire  for  future  progress  which 
are  commendable.  No  town  can  hope  to  live  up  to  its 
greatest  possibilities  without  a  public  library,  and  none 
with  a  sincere  desire  need  be  denied  the  blessings  which 
result  from  such  an  institution. 

There  are  few  communities  which  would  not  provide  for 
a  public  library,  if  its  advantages  were  appreciated,  for  it 
is  a  remedy  for  many  ills  and  is  all-embracing  in  its 
scope.  It  vitalizes  school  work,  and  receiving  the  pupil 
from  the  school,  the  library  continues  his  education 
throughout  life.  It  is  a  home  missionary,  sending  its 
messengers,  the  books,  into  every  shop  and  home.  With 
true  missionary  zeal,  it  not  only  sends  help,  but  opens  its 
doors  to  every  man,  woman  and  child.  In  most  towns, 
there  are  scores  of  j^oung  men  and  boys  whose  evenings 
are  spent  in  loafing  about  the  streets,  and  to  these  the 
library  offers  an  attractive  meeting  place,  where  the  time 
may  be  spent  with  jolly,  wise  friends  in  the  books.  The 
library  substitutes  better  for  poorer  reading,  and  pro- 
vides story  hours  for  the  children  who  are  eager  to  hear 
l)cfore  they  are  able  to  read.  It  also  increases  the  earn- 
ing capacity  of  people,  by  supplying  information  and  ad- 
vice on  the   work  they  are   doing. 

Increased  taxation  is  one  of  tlic  greatest  hindrances  to 
the  opening  of  a  public  library,  l)ut  any  institution  which 
cnriciies  and  uplifts  tlie  lives  of  the  people,  is  tlie  great- 
est economy.  Any  attempt  to  conduct  civic  affairs  with- 
out a  reasonable  expenditure  of  money  for  such  int1u- 
rnces  is  the  grossest  extravagance.  No  economy  results 
from  ignorance  and  vice,  and  the  public  library  has  long 
since  established  its  claim  as  one  of  the  most  potent  reme- 
dies for  such  conditions. 

It  is  no  exaggeration  to  state  tliat  every  dollar  expend- 
ed for  library  purposes  is  returned  to  the  community  ten- 
fold, \V)\.  necessarily  in  dollars  and  cents,  but  in  the  more 


■M)     MATERIAL  FOR  A   PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN 

permanent,  more  valuable  assets  of  greater  happiness, 
eomfort  and  progress  of  the  people.  A  city  is  llie  express- 
ion of  every  life  within  its  borders,  and  every  increase 
in  progress  and  efficiency  in  the  individual  citizen,  is  prog- 
ress for  the  whole. 

Tlie  most  valuable  things  usually  are  obtained  at  some 
sacrilke,  and  the  many  advantages  from  a  public  library 
are  certainly  worth  paying  for.  Hundreds  of  small  cities 
and  towns  tax  themselves  for  electric  plants  and  count 
themselves  fortunate.  Xo  one  seems  to  regret  this  taxa- 
tion for  electric  liuhts  which  illuminate  the  citizen's  way 
at  night.  Should  there  not  be  an  equal  or  greater  readiness 
on  the  part  of  a  community  to  establish  a  library  and  so 
illuminate  the  mental  horizon  of  every  citizen? 

A  public  library  is  a  necessity,  not  a  luxury.  Every 
community  which  realizes  this  and  establishes  a  library, 
proclaims  itself  an  intelligent,  progressive  town  and  one 
worth  living  in.  CH ALGIERS    HADLEY. 

The  opening  of  a  free  public  library  is  a  most  impor- 
tant event  in  any  town.  Tliere  is  no  way  in  which  a  com- 
munity can  more  benefit  itself  than  in  the  establishment 
of  a  library  which  shall  be  free  to  all  citizens. 

WILLIAM   McKINLEY. 


PUBLIC   LIBRARY,  A   PUBLIC    OPPORTUNITY 

Modern  industrialism  exacts  from  the  artisan  and  the 
worker  in  every  branch,  skill  and  knowledge  not  dreamed 
of  years  ago.  He  who  would  not  be  trampled  under  foot 
needs  to  keep  pace  with  the  onward  sweep  in  his  particu- 
lar craft.  The  public  library  furnishes  to  the  ambitious 
artisan  the  opportunity  to  rise.  Upon  its  shelves  he  may 
find  the  latest  and  the  best  in  invention  and  in  method 
and  in  knowledge.  Never  in  the  history  of  the  country 
has  there  been  such  a  desire  manifested  among  the  adult 
population  for  continued  education  as  may  be  noted  to- 
day. Does  it  not  speak  eloquently  of  ambition  to  rise 
above   circumstances — that   same    spirit   that   we   have   ad- 


MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN     31 

mired  in  our  Franklins  and  our  Lincolns  and  the  long 
roll  of  self-made  men  whose  lives  we  are  proud  to  recall? 
And  so  library  extension  takes  note  of  adult  education, 
and  combining  its  forces  with  university  extension,  realizes 
that  broader  movement  variously  termed  home  education, 
popular  education  and  the  people's  college. 

The  library  gives  heed  to  the  future,  and  thus  does  not 
neglect  tla-  child.  The  intelligent  work  of  the  children's 
librarian,  supplementing  the  related  work  of  the  teacher, 
aims  to  develop  the  individual  talent  or  dormant  resource 
which  finds  no  chance  for  expression  where  children  are 
necessarily  treated  as  masses.  And  we  may  never  know 
what  society  has  lost  by  failure  to  quicken  into  life  this 
dormant  talent  for  invention,  for  art,  for  literature,  for 
philosophy.  "The  loss  to  society  of  the  unearned  incre- 
ment is  trivial  compared  to  the  loss  of  the  undiscovered 
resource."  Had  retarding  influences  affected  half  a  dozen 
men  whom  we  could  readily  name — Morse,  Fulton,  Steph- 
enson, Edison,  Bell,  Marconi — we  might  to-day  be  without 
the  locomotive,  the  steamship,  the  telegraph,  the  tele- 
phone— the  myriad  marvels  of  electricity  that  to-day  seem 
commonplaces.  What  we  have  actually  lost  during  this 
great  century  of  scientific  development  we  can  never  know. 
Xor  must  we  forget  that  invention  is  the  result  of  cumu- 
lated knowledge  which  the  fertile  brain  of  man  utilizes  in 
new  directions,  and  that  the  preservation  of  the  knowl- 
edge and  experience  of  the  centuries  is  the  province  of 
the  public  library,  where  all  alike  may  have  access  to  its 
riches.  The  ideal  democracy  is  the  democracy  of  knowl- 
edge and  of  learning. 

The  library  endeavors,  by  applying  the  traveling  library 
I)rinciple  to  collections  of  pictures,  by  means  of  the  illus- 
trated lecture  and  otherwise,  to  cultivate  among  tiie  peo- 
ple an  appreciation  of  the  beautiful  and  artistic  tiiat  shall 
ultimately  find  expression  in  the  home  and  its  surround- 
ings. 

The  library  believes,  too,  tliat  recreative  reading  is  a 
legitimate  function.  We  hold,  with  William  Morton 
Payne,   that   a   sparkling  and   sprightly  story,   which   may 


32     MATERIAL  FOR  A   PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN 

be  read  in  an  hour  and  wliich  will  leave  the  reader  with  a 
good  conscience  and  a  sense  of  cheerfulness,  has  its 
merits.  In  this  work-a-day  world  of  ours  we  need  a  bit 
of  cheer  for  the  hours  which  ought  to  be  restful  as  well 
as  resting  liours.  Lil)rary  extension  is  imbued  with  op- 
timism; its  broadening  field  is  educational,  sociological, 
recreative.  Unblindcd  to  the  evils  of  the  day,  its  promot- 
ers realize  inability  to  amend  them  except  by  educational 
processes  affecting  all  tlio  people.  They  do  not  preach 
the  gospel  of  discontent,  but  seek  realization  of  condi- 
tions which  shall  bring  about  contentment  and  happiness. 
That,  after  all,  for  tiie  welfare  of  the  people,  wants  need 
be  but  few  and  easily  supplied.  He  who  has  food,  rai- 
ment and  slielter  in  reasonable  degree,  access  to  the  in- 
tellectual wealth  of  the  world  in  public  libraries,  to  the 
riches  created  by  the  master  painters  and  sculptors,  found 
in  public  galleries  and  museums,  to  the  untrammeled  use 
of  public  parks  and  drives,  and  the  many  other  universal 
advantages  which  are  now  so  increasingly  many,  need  not 
envy  the  richest  men  on  cartli.  Many  a  millionaire  is 
poorer  than  the  most  humble  of  his  employees,  for  ex- 
cessive wealth  brings  its  own  train  of  evils  to  torment  its 
possessor.  Commercial  success  is  a  legitimate  endeavor 
among  men,  and  thrift  is  to  be  commended,  but  when 
these  degenerate  into  greed,  pity  and  not  envy  should  be 
the  meed  of  the  man  seized  with  the  money  disease. 

HEXRY  E.  LEGLER. 


THE  LIBRARY  AND  THE  WORKERS 

My  opinion  of  the  public  lilirary  from  a  workingman's 
standpoint  is,  that  it  is  the  greatest  boon  that  could  pos- 
sibly be  conferred  upon  him.  It  places  him  at  once  upon 
the  level  with  the  millionaire,  the  student  and  the  philoso- 
pher. It  opens  for  him  (whose  poverty  would  otherwise 
debar  him)  the  vast  fields  of  literature.  Here  he  may  wan- 
der at  will  with  the  master  minds  of  humanity,  hand  in 
hand  with  the  great  thinkers  of  the  ages,  open  his  mind 
and  heart  to  the  lessons  taught  by  those  great  leaders  of 


MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN     33 

men  who  have  conquered  nations  and  shaped  the  desti- 
nies of  the  human  race.  Here  he  may  associate  with  the 
greatest,  the  wisest  and  the  best.  There  is  no  limit  to  the 
possibilities  of  possessing  knowledge  which  is  power,  with- 
out money  and  without  price.  The  public  library  should 
be  managed  in  the  best  interests  of  the  workingman,  and 
the  books  should  be  purchased  mainly  with  his  welfare  in 
view.  The  capitalist  can  buy  and  own  his  own  books.  The 
workingman  cannot  do  this.  Tlie  children  of  the  work- 
ingman must  get  from  the  pu1)lic  library  the  general 
books  of  reference  which  the  business  man  has  in  his 
home.  The  children  of  the  workingman  must  have  these 
books  in  order  properly  to  do  their  school  work  and  thor- 
oughly understand  it.  Their  teachers  require  this.  The 
children  of  the  workingman  have  their  schools  as  well  as 
the  library.  Their  work  in  tlie  schools  and  the  work  in 
the  library  go  hand  in  hand,  but  the  workingman  himself 
has  onl)^  the  library  for  his  school  and  must,  of  necessitj% 
go  there.  His  schoolroom  is  the  reference  room,  for  tlie 
knowledge  he  gains  in  that  department  lie  can  at  once 
put  into  practical  use  in  any  capacity  in  which  he  may  be 
employed. 

The  question  arises,  having  presented  those  opportuni- 
ties to  the  workingman,  will  lie  take  advantage  of  tluni? 
I  answer,  he  surely  will.  It  is  now  more  than  twenty 
years  since  I  joined  a  labor  organization,  tlie  "Stone-cut- 
ters' Union"  of  Minneapolis.  Since  that  time  I  Iiavc  al- 
waj's  been  affiliated  with  organized  workingmcn.  Dur- 
ing all  these  years  the  workingman  lias  taken  advantage 
of  every  opportunity  to  better  tlie  condition  of  liimsclf, 
his  fellow  workman  and  his  employer.  He  has  learned 
to  be  more  patient,  more  conservative  and  more  trust- 
worthy. His  hours  of  labor  have  been  shortened,  his 
wages  are  liighcr,  and  labor-saving  machinery  l).is  made 
his  work  lightir.  lie  lives  in  a  better  luniic,  his  family 
is  better  provided  for  and,  best  of  all.  his  children  are  bet- 
ter educated.  What  has  wrought  those  great  changes  in 
the  conditions  of  the  workingman?  What  lias  enabh d  liini 
to  keep  up  with  the  swift  march  uf  progress  during  tliese 


34     MATERIAL   FOR   A    J'lBIJC   L/HKAKV  CAMPAIGN 

many  years?  1  will  ;in.s\vi.r  in  one  word,  Education.  Just 
such  inslitution.s  as  the  puljlic  library  have  made  this  pos- 
sible, and  the  public  library  has  given  the  largest  share. 

JOHN  P.  BUCKLEY. 

A  WORLD  WITHOUT  BOOKS 

What  if  there  were  no  letters  and  no  books?  Think 
what  your  state  would  be  in  a  situation  like  that!  Think 
what  it  would  be  to  know  nothing,  for  example,  of  the 
way  in  wliich  American  independence  iiad  been  won,  and 
the  fedora!  repul)lic  of  tlic  United  States  constructed; 
nothing  of  IJunkcr  Hill;  nothing  of  George  Washington; 
except  the  little,  half  true  and  half  mistaken,  that  your 
fathers  could  remember,  of  what  their  fathers  had  repeat- 
ed, of  wliat  tlieir  fathers  had  told  to  tiiem.  Tliink  what 
it  would  be  to  have  nothing  but  shadowy  traditions  of 
the  voyage  of  Columbus,  of  the  coming  of  the  Mayliower 
pilgrims,  and  of  all  the  planting  of  life  in  the  New  World 
from  Old  World  stocks,  like  Greek  legends  of  the  Argo- 
nauts and  of  the  Heraclidae!  Think  what  it  would  be  to 
know  no  more  of  the  origins  of  the  English  people,  their 
rise  and  their  growtli  in  greatness,  than  the  Romans  knew 
of  their  Latin  beginnings;  and  to  know  no  more  of  Rome 
herself  than  we  might  guess  from  the  ruins  she  has  left! 
Think  what  it  would  be  to  have  the  whole  story  of  Athens 
and  Greece  dropped  out  of  our  knowledge,  and  to  i)e  una- 
ware that  Marathon  was  ever  fought,  or  that  one  like  Soc- 
rates had  ever  lived!  Think  what  it  would  be  to  have  no 
line  from  Homer,  no  thought  from  Plato,  no  message  from 
Isaiah,  no  Sermon  on  the  Mount,  nor  any  parable  from  the 
lips  of  Jesus! 

Can  you  imagine  a  world  intellectually  famine-smitten 
like  that — a  bookless  world — and  not  shrink  with  horror 
from  the  thought  of  being  condemned  to  it? 

Yet  the  men  and  women  who  take  nothing  from  letters 
and  books  are  choosing  to  live  as  thougli  mankind  did 
actually  wallow  in  the  awful  darkness  of  tliat  state  from 
which   writing  and  books  have  rescued  us.     For  them,  it 


MATERIAL  FOR  A   PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN     35 

is  as  if  no  ship  had  ever  come  from  the  far  shores  of  old 
Time  where  their  ancestry  dwelt;  and  the  interest  of  ex- 
istence to  them  is  huddled  in  the  pett}-  space  of  their  own 
few  years,  between  walls  of  mist  which  thicken  as  impen- 
etrabl}'  behind  them  as  before.  How  can  life  be  worth 
living  on  such  terms  as  that?  How  can  man  or  woman 
be  content  with  so  little,  when  so  much  is  ofifcred? 

J.    N.    LARNED. 


BOOKLESS  HOMES 

The  bookless  homes  of  the  well-to-do  people  are  famil- 
iar to  all.  Inside  those  walls  no  books  are  to  be  found 
but  a  few  gift  books,  chosen  for  their  bindings  rather 
than  their  contents,  and  perhaps  others  which  some  agent 
has  pressed  upon  them.  What  can  be  done  to  stimulate 
reading  in  these  homes?  Ten-cent  magazines  and  ciicap 
stories  are  devoured  by  mother  and  daughters  to  the  de- 
struction of  sane  thoughts  and  connected  ideas.  The  man 
of  the  house  each  day  reads  his  newspaper,  containing  ac- 
counts of  crimes,  accidents  and  the  funny  paper.  Happily, 
it  also  contains  articles  of  travel,  invention  and  discovery, 
otherwise  his  brain  would  be  weakened. 

Young  people  come  from  iliesc  ])Ookless  homes  to  col- 
lege each  year,  showing  great  confusion  of  ideas,  vacuity 
of  mind  and  utter  lack  of  information.  They  need  us, 
need  libraries,  need  the  force  of  the  state  to  help  them. 
Ninety-four  per  cent  of  our  young  people  never  get  into 
college.  Xincty  per  cent,  it  is  said,  never  go  to  school 
after  they  have  passed  the  age  of  fourteen  years. 

The  contribution  of  tlu-  library  is  to  elevate  the  stand- 
ard of  the  town.  Books  depicting  noble,  earnest,  well- 
meaning  lives  will  cause  the  social  standard  to  jirogress, 
and  otlier  standards  with  it. 

ORKGON    lJi',R.\RV  COM  .M  LS.SIQN. 


36     MATERIAL  FOR  A   PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN 

NEED  OF  FREE  LIBRARIES 

A  library  is  an  essential  part  of  a  broad  system  of  edu- 
cation, and  a  community  sliould  tliink  it  as  discreditable 
to  be  witiiout  a  well-conducted  free  public  library  as  to 
be  without  a  good  school,  if  it  is  the  duty  of  the  state 
to  give  each  future  citizen  an  opportunity  to  learn  to 
road,  it  is  equally  its  dutj'  to  give  eacli  citizen  an  op- 
portunity to  use  that  power  wisely  for  himself  and  the 
state.  Wholesome  literature  can  be  furnished  to  all  the 
readers  in  a  community  at  a  fraction  of  the  cost  neces- 
sarj'  to  teach  them  to  read,  and  the  power  to  read  may 
then  become  a  means  to  a  life-long  education. 

The  books  tliat  a  boy  reads  for  pleasure  do  more  to 
determine  his  ideals  and  shape  his  character  than  the 
text-books  he  studies  in  the  schools.  Bad  and  indifferent 
literature  is  now  so  common  that  the  boys  will  have  some 
sort  of  reading.  If  they  have  a  good  public  library  they 
will  read  wholesome  books  and  learn  to  admire  Washing- 
ton, Lincoln  and  other  great  men.  Without  a  library 
many  of  them  will  gloat  over  the  exploits  of  depraved 
men  and  women,  and  their  earliest  ambitions  will  be 
tainted. 

Each  town  needs  a  library  to  furnish  more  practice  in 
reading  for  the  little  folks  in  school;  it  needs  it  to  give 
the  boys  and  girls  who  have  learned  to  read  a  taste  for 
wholesome  literature  that  informs  and  inspires;  it  needs 
it  as  a  center  for  an  intellectual  and  spiritual  activity  that 
shall  leaven  the  whole  community  and  make  healthful 
and  inspiring  themes  the  burden  of  the  common  thought 
— substituting,  by  natural  methods,  clean  conversation  and 
literature  for  petty  gossip,  scandal  and  oral  anrl  printed 
teachings  in  vice.  F.  A.  HUTCIIIXS. 

THE  LIBRARY  AND  BOYS 

"In  Madison,  N.  J.,  a  bird  club  of  boys  met  twice  a 
week,  once  for  study  and  once  for  an  expedition,  and 
found  the  library's  resources  on  this  topic  to  be  of  inter- 


MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN     37 

est  and  value.  How  to  utilize  profitably  the  activities  of 
a  'gang'  of  boys  is  wortli  much  planning.  One  librarian 
is  reported  to  have  started  a  chair-caning  class  to  inter- 
est restless  boys;  another  had  a  museum  of  flowers  and  in- 
sects, another  conducted  a  branch  of  the  flower  mission. 
Not  less  interesting,  and  perhaps  more  instructive,  is  a 
series  of  talks  on  Indian  legends  accompanied  by  hunt- 
ing expeditions  for  the  half-buried  implements  and  relics 
found  in  almost  every  meadow  in  some  parts  of  the  coun- 
try. Boys  are  eager  to  learn  about  natural  history  and 
natural  science,  and  thej'  will  be  encouraged  at  the  pub- 
lic library."  IRENE  VAN  KLEECK. 

THE   LIBRARY 

Get  good  books;  give  them  a  home  attractive  to  readers 
of  good  books;  name  a  friend  of  good  books  as  mistress 
of  this  home — and  you  have  a  library;  all  share  in  its 
support  and  all  get  pleasure  and  profit  from  it  if  they 
will;  without  divisions  religious,  politic  or  social,  it  unites 
all  in  the  pursuit  of  high  pleasure  and  sound  learning,  and 
gives  that  common  interest  in  a  common  concern  which 
is  the  basis  of  all  local  pride. 

If  you  have  rightly  read  a  book,  that  book  is  yours. 

You  cannot  always  choose  your  companions;  you  can 
always  choose  your  books.  You  can,  if  you  will,  spend 
a  few  minutes  every  day  with  the  best  and  wisest  men 
and  women  the   world  has  ever  known. 

The  i)coplc  you  have  known,  the  things  you  have  said 
and  done,  and  the  books  you  have  read,  all  these  arc  now 
a  part  of  you. 

You  like  yourself  better  when  you  arc  with  people  who 
are  well-l)red  and  clever;  you  respect  yourself  more  wlien 
you  are  reading  a  briglit  and  wholesome  book,  for  you 
arc  tlien  in  llic  company  of  the  wise.  J.  C.  DANA. 

After  tlie  cluircli  and  llie  school,  the  free  pui)lic  library 
is  tl'.e  most  effective  inlluencc  for  good  in  America.  I  "he 
moral,  mental  and  material  benefits  to  be  derived   from  a 


38     MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN 

carefully  selected  collection  of  good  books,  free  for  the 
use  of  all  the  people,  cannot  be  overestimated.  No  com- 
munity can  afford  to  be  without  a  library. 

THEODORE    ROOSEVELT. 


SHALL   WE   BE    LOYAL   TO    THE    CITY    OF   OUR 

HOME? 

The  opportunity  is  at  luuid  to  answer  this  question.  A 
generous  gift  is  offered,  shall  we  accept  it?     We  can  have 

dollars   for  a   public   use,  if   we   will   promise   to 

support  the  use  to  which  this  money  is  dedicated-     Shall 

have  a  free  public  library?     It  is  up  to  us,  her 

citizens. 

We  have  passed  the  stage  of  a  country  town  and  are 
ranked  and  cataloged  as  a  modern,  progressive  city,  en- 
joying many  of  the  advantages  of  the  larger  cities.  Why 
is  this  true?  Because  tlie  progressive  spirit  and  sentiment 
have  always  triumphed  in  her  onward  march.  Because, 
inspired  by  a  public  spirit,  her  people  have*joined  hands, 
and  shoulder  to  shoulder  labored  for  all  that  pertains  to 
religious,  moral,  social,  industrial,  educational  and  mate- 
rial development.     Let  us  keep  marching  on. 

Many  towns  in  the  state,  nearly  all  those  in  the  counties 
surrounding  us,  are  accepting  Carnegie  gifts  for  libraries. 
\\  ill  it  not  humiliate  and  degrade  us  in  the  eyes  of  the 
jieople  of  the  state  if  we  decree  against  a  public  library? 
Let  us  not  detract  from  our  well  deserved  and  established 
reputation  for  progressiveness  by  such  a  mistake.  We  ap- 
l)eal  to  public  spirit;  to  pride  of  city;  to  pride  of  home, 
and  urge  you  to  register  your  vote  in  favor  of  this  enter- 
prise. IOWA  LIBRARY  COMMISSION. 

The  system  of  free  public  libraries  now  being  estab- 
li^iied  in  this  country  is  the  most  important  development 
of  modern  times.  The  library  is  a  center  from  which 
radiates  an  ever  widening  influence  for  the  enlightenment, 
the  uplift,  the  advancement  of  the  community. 

WILLIAM   JENNINGS    BRYAN. 


MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN     39 

THE   SCHOOL'S   GREATEST  BOON 

The  greatest  boon  that  the  system  of  public  schools,  or 
the  college,  or  the  university,  can  confer  upon  any  boy  or 
girl  is  to  teach  him  or  her  to  use  a  great  collection  of  lit- 
erature, to  teach  them  how  to  read;  and  to  plant  within 
their  hearts  an  irresistible  impulse  and  an  indestructible 
delight  in  so  doing.  What  profits  it  a  man  to  learn  how 
to  read  if  he  does  not  read?  For  what  purpose  is  the 
mind  trained  and  developed  by  the  process  of  systematic 
study  in  the  schools  if  it  is  not  inspired  to  go  farther  into 
the  realms  of  knowledge?  Is  it  a  rational  procedure  for 
one,  upon  the  completion  of  his  course  of  training,  to 
discontinue  all  further  investigation  and  to  lay  aside  what 
little  love  for  learning  and  literature  and  philosophy  and 
science  that  may  have  1)ecn  aroused  in  his  bosom  by 
school  or  college  inspirations?  And  how  is  this  advan- 
cing and  widening  of  one's  horizon  by  means  of  the  accu- 
mulated stores  of  knowledge  gathered  by  the  previous 
generations  of  the  world's  strong  thinkers  and  beautiful 
writers  to  be  secured,  other  than  by  a  collection  of  good 
books,  by  a  library?  C.  C.  THACH. 

BOOKS  AND  STUDY  WORK 

Have  our  missionary  societies  access  to  Bliss's  "En- 
cyclopedia of  Missions."  or  to  Dennis's  great  "Missions 
and  Christian  Progress"?  Do  our  Bible  students  know 
Moulton's  "Literary  Study  of  the  Bil)le"? — a  book  so  il- 
luminating as  to  seem  almost  itself  inspired.  How  many 
of  the  members  of  the  young  people's  societies  of  our 
churches  have  access  to  a  standard  concordance,  Bible 
dictionary,  or  a  dictionary  of  sects  and  doctrines?  Has  tlic 
W.  C.  T.  U.  the  reports  of  the  Committee  of  Fifty,  that 
great  committee  of  master  minds,  wlio  made  exhaustive 
investigation  and  authoritative  reports  on  the  various  as- 
pects of  the  liquor  question?  Have  the  Masons  a  history 
of  free-masonry?  Has  tlie  Shakespeare  Club  books  on 
Shakespeare,  and  is  the  Political  Ecjuality  Club  actjuainted 


U)     MATERIAL  FOR  A   PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN 

with  standard  works  on  political  science  and  the  fran- 
chise? Who  has  a  good  "Cyclopedia  of  Quotations,"  or 
a  "Reader's  Handbook,"  where  we  can  satisfy  our  curi- 
osity regarding  allusions  to  "Fair  Rosamond,"  "Apples  of 
Hesperia,"  "Atlantis"  and  "Captain  Cuttle"? 

If  we  were  to  see  a  farmer  laboriously  cutting  his  wheat 
witli  a  scythe,  tying  it  into  bundles  by  hand,  and  then 
carrying  the  bundles  on  his  back  to  the  barn,  we  would 
think  lie  was  crazy.  Is  it  not  as  foolish,  however,  for  us 
in  our  study  work  to  do  without  the  suitable  tools  and 
helps  which   we  might  have  in   a   public  library? 

IIOLLEY  (X.  Y.)  STANDARD. 


WHY  CITIES  SUPPORT  PUBLIC  LIBRARIES 

The  proposition  that  only  an  enlightened  and  an  intelli- 
gent people  can  make  self-government  a  success  is  so  self- 
evident  as  to  make  argument  but  a  vain  repetition  of 
empty  words.  And  yet  we  know  tliat  the  public  school 
side  of  our  system  of  free  public  education  is  as  yet  only 
able  to  secure  five  years'  schooling  for  the  average  child 
in  tliis  country — an  all  too  narrow  portal  through  which 
to  enter  upon  successful  citizenship.  There  is  an  impera- 
tive demand,  then,  for  the  establishment  and  the  develop- 
ment and  for  the  wise  administration  of  that  otlu-r  brancli 
of  our  system  of  free  public  education  which  we  know  as 
the   public   library. 

We  must  understand  clearly  that  the  l)eneficent  result 
of  this  system  of  education  is  just  as  possible  to  the  son 
of  the  peasant  as  to  the  son  of  the  president,  is  just  as 
helpful  to  the  blacksmith  as  to  the  barrister,  to  the  farmer 
as  to  the  philosopher:  and  in  its  possibilities  and  in  its 
helpfulness  is  a  constant  blessing  to  all  and  througii  all, 
and  is  needed  by  all  alike. 

The  most  worthy  mind,  that  which  is  of  most  value  to 
the  world,  is  the  well-informed  mind  wliich  is  i)uMic  and 
large.  Only  through  the  development  of  such,  both  as 
leaders  and  as  followers,  can  all  classes  be  brought  into 
an  understanding  of  each  other,  can  we  preserve  true  re- 


MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN     41 

publican  equality,  can  we  avoid  that  insulation  and  seclu- 
sion which  are  unwholesome  and  unworthy  of  true  Ameri- 
can manhood.  The  state  has  no  resources  at  all  compar- 
able with  its  citizens.  A  man  is  worth  to  himself  just 
what  he  is  capable  of  enjoying,  and  he  is  worth  to  the 
state  just  what  he  is  capable  of  imparting.  These  form  an 
exact  and  true  measure  of  every  man.  The  greatest  pos- 
itive strength  and  value,  therefore,  must  alwaj's  be  asso- 
ciated with  the  greatest  positive  and  practical  develop- 
ment of  every  faculty  and  power. 

This,  then,  is  the  true  basis  of  taxation  for  public  li- 
braries. Such  a  tax  is  subject  to  all  the  canons  of  usual 
taxation,  and  may  be  defended  and  must  be  defended  upon 
precisel}'  the  same  grounds  as  we  defend  the  tax  for  the 
public  schools.  JAMES  HULME  CANFIELD. 

WHY   MR.   CARNEGIE   ESTABLISHES   LIBRARIES 

I  choose  free  libraries  as  the  best  agencies  for  improv- 
ing the  masses  of  the  people,  because  they  give  nothing 
for  nothing.  They  only  help  those  who  help  themselves. 
They  never  pauperize.  They  reach  the  aspiring,  and  open 
to  these  the  chief  treasures  of  the  world — those  stored  up 
in  books.     A  taste  for  reading  drives  out  lower  tastes. 

Besides  this,  I  believe  good  fiction  one  of  the  most 
beneficial  reliefs  to  the  monotonous  lives  of  the  poor.  For 
these  and  other  reasons  I  prefer  the  free  public  library 
to  most  if  not  any  other  agencies  for  the  happiness  and 
improvement    of   a   community. 

ANDREW   CARNEGIE. 

TO   TEACHERS 

Libraries  are  established  that  they  may  gather  together 
the  best  of  the  fruits  of  the  tree  of  human  speech,  spread 
them  before  men  in  all  liberality  and  invite  all  to  enjoy 
them.  The  schools  arc  in  part  established  that  they  may 
tell  the  young  how  to  enjoy  this  feast.  They  do  tliis. 
They  teach  the  young  to  read.     They   imt   tluin   in   tourji 


42     MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN 

with  wonls  and  phrases;  they  point  out  to  them  the  de- 
lectahlo  mountains  of  liuman  tliouglit  and  action,  and 
then  let  them  go.  It  is  to  be  himented  that  they  go  so 
soon.  At  twelve,  at  thirteen,  at  fourteen  at  the  most, 
these  young  men  and  women,  wliose  lives  could  be  so 
broadened,  sweetened,  mellowed,  humanized  by  a  few 
%-ears"  daily  contact  with  the  wisest,  noblest,  wittiest  of 
our  kind  as  their  own  words  portray  them — at  this  early 
age,  when  reading  has  iiardly  begun,  they  leave  school, 
and  tliey  leave  almost  all  of  the  best  reading  at  the  same 
time.  If,  now,  you  can  bring  these  young  citizens  into 
sympatlij'  with  the  books  the  libraries  would  persuade 
them  to  read:  if  you  can  impress  upon  them  the  reading 
habit;  then  the  libraries  can  supplement  your  good  work; 
will  rejoice  in  empty  shelves;  will  feel  tliat  they  are  not 
in  vain;  and  the  coming  generations  will  delight,  one 
and  all,  in  that  which  good  books  can  give;  will  speak 
more  plainly;  will  think  more  clearly;  will  be  less  often 
led  astray  by  false  prophets  of  every  kind;  will  see  that 
all  men  are  of  the  one  country  of  humanity;  and  will — to 
sum  it   all — be  better  citizens  of  a  good  state. 

I  believe  you  will  find  there  is  something  yet  to  do  in 
reading  in  which  the  library  can  be  of  help.  Reading 
comes  by  practice.  The  practice  which  a  pupil  gets  dur- 
ing school  hours  does  not  make  him  a  quick  and  .skilful 
reader.  There  is  not  enough  of  it.  If  you  encourage  the 
reading  habit,  and  lead  that  habit,  as  you  easily  can,  along 
good  lines,  your  pupils  will  gain  much,  simply  in  knowl- 
edge of  words,  in  ability  to  get  the  meaning  out  of  print, 
even  though  we  say  nothing  of  the  help  their  reading  will 
give  them  in  other  ways.  J.  C.  DANA. 


RIGHT  USE  OF  BOOKS 

When  we  consider  how  much  tlic  education  that  is  con- 
tinued after  schooltime  depends  upon  tlic  right  use  of 
Ijooks,  we  can  hardlj'  be  too  emphatic  in  asserting  that 
something  of  that  use  should  be  learned  in  the  school. 
Yet   almost   nothing  of  the   sort   really    is   learned.     The 


MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGX     43 

average  student  in  high  school  does  not  know  the  dif- 
ference between  a  table  of  contents  and  an  index,  does 
not  know  what  a  concordance  is,  does  not  know  how  to 
find  what  he  wants  in  an  encyclopedia,  does  not  even 
know  that  a  dictionary  has  many  other  uses  besides  that 
of  supplying  definitions.  Still  more  pitiful  is  his  naive 
assumption  that  a  book  is  a  book,  and  that  what  book 
it  is  does  not  particularly  matter.  It  is  tlie  commonest 
of  all  experiences  to  hear  a  student  say  that  he  has  got  a 
given  statement  from  a  book,  and  to  find  him  quite  in- 
capable of  naming  the  book.  That  the  source  of  informa- 
tion, as  long  as  that  information  is  printed  somewhere, 
should  be  of  any  consequence,  is  quite  surprising  to  him, 
and  still  more  the  suggestion  that  it  is  also  his  dutj'  to 
have  some  sort  of  an  opinion  concerning  the  value  and 
credibility  of  the  authority  lie  thus  blindly  quotes.  If  the 
school  library,  and  the  instruction  given  in  connection  with 
it,  should  do  no  more  than  impress  these  two  elementary 
principles  upon  the  minds  of  the  whole  student  body,  it 
would  go  far  towards  accounting  for  itself  as  an  educa- 
tional means.  That  it  may,  and  should,  do  much  more 
than  this  is  the  proposition  that  we  have  sought  to  main- 
tain, and  wc  do  not  see  how  its  essential  reasonableness 
may  be  gainsaid.  DIAL,  Feb.  i,  1906. 

THE  TRUE   SPIRIT   OF   DEMOCRACY 

The  library  supplies  information  for  mcclianics  and 
workingmen  of  every  class.  Just  as  the  system  of  ap- 
prenticeship declines  and  employers  require  trained  help- 
ers, must  tlie  usefulness  of  tlic  library  increase. 

Library  work  offers  great  opportunity  for  philanthropy, 
and  philantliropy  of  the  higlur  form,  because  its  work 
is  preventive,  rather  than  positive.  It  anticipates  evil 
by  substituting  tlie  antidote  l)eforehand.  It  fosters  the 
love  of  what  is  good  and  uplifting  before  low  tastes  have 
become  a  chronic  propensity.  Pleasure  in  sucli  books  as 
the  library  would  furnish  to  young  readers  will  interest 
the  mind  and  occupy  tlie  thoughts  exclusive  of  those  evil 


44     MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN 

practices  invited  by  the  open  door  of  idleness.  Tlic  chil- 
dren generally  conie  of  their  own  free  will;  they  are  in- 
fluenced silently,  unconsciously  to  themselves;  they  feel 
themselves  welcome,  loved,  respected.  Self-respect,  the 
mighty  power  to  lift  and  keep  erect,  is  fostered  and  de- 
veloped. 

The  work  of  the  library  is  for  civic  education  and  the 
making  of  good  citizens,  a  form  of  patriotism  made  im- 
perative for  the  millions  of  foreigners  coming  yearly  to 
our  shores. 

The  public  library  offers  common  ground  to  all.  There 
are  no  social  lines  to  bar  the  entrance;  the  doors  open  at 
every  touch,  if  only  the  simple  etiquette  of  quiet,  earnest 
bearing  is  observed.  No  creeds  arc  to  be  subscribed  to, 
the  rich  and  poor  meet  together  in  absolute  indepen- 
dence. Even  the  aristocracy  of  intellect  does  not  count  in 
the  people's  university.  Tlic  ideal  public  library  realizes 
the   true  spirit   of  democracy. 

WALLER  IRENE  BULLOCK. 

THE  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  AS  THE  CENTER  OF  THE 

COMMUNITY 

In  more  than  one  locality  the  local  ])ul)lic  library  has 
come  to  be  recognized  as  the  natural  local  center  of  the 
community,  around  which  revolve  the  local  studies,  the 
local  industries,  and  all  the  various  local  interests  of 
the  town  or  village.  Here,  for  instance,  is  the  home  of 
the  local  historical  society;  here  also  is  the  home  of  the 
local  camera  club;  of  the  natural  history  society;  of  the 
study  club  and  debating  societies.  Why  is  this?  It  is 
because  those  in  charge  of  the  library  have  so  thoroughly 
realized  the  fact  that  in  a  community  the  interests  of  all 
are  the  interests  of  each,  and  that  while  this  is  true  of 
other  institutions  as  related  to  each  other,  yet  there  is 
no  one  of  them  on  Avhich  the  lines  of  interest  so  invari- 
ablj"  converge  from  all  the  others — as  "all  roads  lead  to 
Rome."  W.   E.   FOSTER. 


MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMFAIUN     4.5 

PUBLIC  LIBRARIES 

The  very  presence  of  a  public  library  has  a  meaning 
and  exerts  a  power  for  good.  Especially  is  this  the  case 
when  this  presence  is  made  evident  by  a  separate  and 
worthy  building.  The  building  which  stands  for  books,  for 
knowledge,  for  the  records  of  human  experience;  a  house 
not  just  like  other  houses  but  with  marks  of  perma- 
nence, dignity  and  grace,  and  evidently  so  contrived  as  to 
call  the  people  in  and  to  distribute  freely  to  them  these 
wise  and  entertaining  books,  must  be  a  positive  influence 
in  itself. 

The  children  know-  it  for  what  it  is.  Old  and  young, 
rich  and  poor,  recognize  its  meaning.  It  embodies  the  great 
idea  of  a  man  learning  and  growing  by  his  association  with 
the  wisdom  and  experience  of  other  men.  It  is  the  great 
clearing  house  of  human  intelligence  where  knowledge 
is  mutually  exchanged  and  every  one  can  learn  what  the 
rest  know.  It  tells  the  lowest  and  meanest  and  most  ig- 
norant that  here  is  the  opportunity  open  to  everybody  to 
know,  and  therefore  that  books  are  a  common  concern  of 
the  village,  by  which  it  sets  great  store. 

If,  on  the  other  hand,  the  public  library  is  neglected, 
or  starved  with  excessive  thrift,  or  if  it  is  crowded  into 
a  corner,  opened  at  rare  intervals  and  approached  with 
difficulty,  all  this  influence  is  lost. 

The  increase  of  reading  tends  to  a  general  broadening 
of  life.  Human  nature  is  selfish  so  long  as  tlie  man  is 
isolated,  for  he  is  controlled  by  his  impulses  and  passions, 
and  guided  by  his  own   narrow  ideas. 

Our  views  of  life  are  moulded  by  reading.  The  rec- 
ords are  here,  describing  lands  and  people  we  have  never 
seen,  centuries  in  which  we  have  not  lived,  men  who  passed 
oflf  the  stage  in  past  ages.  The  discoveries  of  science, 
tlic  developments  of  workmanship,  the  growth  of  civili- 
zation; thought,  wit,  fancy,  feeling,  which  has  appealed  to 
the  world,  and  that  study,  the  study  of  man,  is  illustrated 
in  in  finitely  diverse  forms  of  story  and  song;  all  these  are 
in   books   and   they   give   us   the   advantage   of   wide   hori- 


10     MATERIAL  FOR  A   PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN 

zons  and  enlarged  acquaintance  with  life.  A  community 
leavened  with  such  intUiences,  where  people  generally  un- 
derstand, where  all  grow  up  from  their  youth  to  know, 
to  think,  to  communicate  and  to  have  common  acquaint- 
ance with  the  past  and  the  distance  and  with  the  secrets 
of  nature,  and  all  the  many  ways  of  doing  tilings,  is  a 
stronger,  happier  and  more  prosperous  community  be- 
cause of  that  very  fact,  and  the  books  are  plainly  a  means 
to  so  desirable  an  end.  W.  R.  EASTMAN. 


HOW  A  LIBRARY  HELPED  THE  BOYS 

As  the  children  have  grown  up  since  our  library  was 
established,  it  is  wonderful  how  their  demands  for  books 
have  widened.  A  boy  in  his  casual  reading  finds  some 
particular  liranch  of  study,  in  science,  mechanics,  art  or 
politics,  wliich  arouses  a  sleeping  instinct.  Straightway 
he  forsakes  his  stories  and  his  plays  and  goes  to  the  li- 
brary to  satisfy  his  new  desires.  Year  by  year  the  de- 
mand upon  the  library  has  broadened  and  books  have 
been  added  treating  of  electricity,  the  X-ray,  wireless 
telegraphy,  mending  bicycles,  telephones,  bee-keeping, 
care  of  pet  animals,  political,  social  and  economic  ques- 
tions, and  still  the  books  do  not  meet  all  demands.  New 
subjects  arc  called  for  and  new  books  must  be  bought. 

BEAVER   DAM   ARGUS. 

Side  by  side  in  tlie  wilderness,  our  forefathers  planted 
the  church  and  the  school;  and  on  these  two  supports 
the  nation  has  stood  firm  and  grown  great.  But  a  tripod 
is  necessary  for  stable  equilibrium.  As  the  country  has 
grown,  its  industrial,  economic  and  political  problems 
have  grown  more  numerous  and  more  complex,  and  tlic 
nation  required  a  broader  base  of  intelligence  and  moral- 
ity for  its  security  and  perpetuity.  The  third  support  for 
a  wider  and  higher  national  life  has  been  found  in  tlie 
public  library,  which  co-operating  with  the  school,  doubles 
the  value  of  the  education  the  child  receives  in  school  and 
further  incites  and  furnishes  him  with  facilities  for  doing 


MATERIAL  FOR  A   PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGX    47 

so.  It  also  enables  the  adult  to  make  up  for  the  oppor- 
tunities he  neglected  or,  more  often,  did  not  have  in 
early  life.  It  does  this,  too,  at  an  expense  to  the  com- 
munity of  not  more  than  one  tenth  of  the  cost  per  capita 
of  school   education.  F.   M.   CRUXDEN. 


THE  LIBRARY  SUPPORT 

This  is  the  fundamental  matter  after  all — money. 
Whence  shall  the  funds  come?  The  church  plan,  the  clul) 
plan — all  are  dependent  on  the  spasmodic  and  irregular 
support  that  results  from  the  labors  of  a  soliciting  com- 
mittee using  persuasive  arguments  with  business  men  and 
others.  There  are  certain  expenses  that  are  absolutely 
essential — books  first  and  most,  a  room  for  which,  prob- 
ably, rent  must  be  paid  (though  some  generous  citizen 
may  give  the  use  of  it),  periodicals  to  be  subscribed  for, 
heat,  light,  table,  chairs,  etc.,  besides  the  most  important 
feature  of  the  w^hole  scheme — the  librarian. 

The  wisest  form  of  organization  is  the  tax-supported 
free  public  library.  Is  it  desirable  that  the  small  town 
shall  in  its  beginning  in  library  matters  attempt  at  once 
to  secure  a  municipal  tax  to  found  and  maintain  a  free 
public  library  under  the  state  law?  There  are  those  who 
believe  this  is  the  onlj'  way  to  make  a  beginning.  Even- 
tually, if  not  in  the  beginning,  the  free  public  library  on 
a  rate  or  tax-supported  basis  is  the  most  desirable  form 
of  library  organization.  ALICE  S.  TYLER. 

WHY    THE    FREE    LIBRARY    SHOULD    BE 
SUPPORTED   BY    TAXATION 

1  Such  a  tax  puts  the  library  on  tlic  right  basis  as  a 
public  institution.  The  purpose  of  the  library  is  the  same 
as  that  of  the  school — public  education,  the  enlargement 
and  enrichment  of  the  intellectual  life  of  the  community — 
and  it  should,  therefore,  be  supported  on  tlie  same  grounds 
and  by  the  same  methods  as  the  school. 

2  Tiie    library    supported    Ijy   local    taxation    ceases    to 


4S     MATERIAL  FOR  A   PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN 

be  a  cliarity,  contrilnucd  by  the  lew  to  the  many,  and  be- 
comes tlie  right  aiul  property  of  all.  When  1  use  a  li- 
brary supported  by  private  gifts,  I  am  accepting  a  favor; 
wlion  1  use  a  library  supported  by  public  tax,  I  am  using 
what  is  mine  by  right.  The  tax  tlius  promotes  a  feeling 
of  independence  and  self-respect  in  the  library's  patrons. 

3  Taxation  is  the  easiest  and  fairest  way  to  raise  the 
needed  money.  Five  hundred  dollars  raised  by  entertain- 
ments, subscriptions,  sales,  etc.,  means  a  great  burden  of 
labor,  care  and  expense  to  a  few,  and  usually  to  net  that 
sum  a  very  much  larger  sum  must  be  expended,  while 
$500  spread  on  the  tax  rolls  would  hardly  be  felt  even  by 
the   largest   taxpayer. 

4  It  adds  dignity  to  the  library  and  increases  the  re- 
spect in  whicli  it  is  held.  To  be  made  each  year  an  object 
of  charity  for  which  private  subscriptions  are  solicited 
and  rummage  sales  licld  tends  to  bring  it  into  contempt 
and  greatly  lowers  its  influence  in  the  community. 

5  A  stated  tax,  yielding  a  known  and  fixed  income,  en- 
ables the  trustees  to  pursue  a  consistent  and  stable  plan 
for  library  development,  such  as  is  impossible  where  the 
income  is  dependent  on  fluctuating  impulse  or  efifort. 

6  There  is  no  village  tax  levied  from  which  the  people 
can  get  so  large  a  return  for  so  little  money.  A  $500  tax 
in  a  village  of  3,000  people  is  e(iuivalent  to  about  16  cents 
for  each  resident.  For  tliis  insignificant  sum  each  person 
in  the  village  is  ofifered  a  pleasant  reading  room,  as 
good  as  that  supplied  by  many  a  club,  a  dozen  or  more 
of  the  best  periodicals,  a  collection  of  books  such  as  only 
a  very  few  of  the  more  wealthy  can  possess  as  individuals, 
and  about  $200  worth  of  new  books  to  read  every  year. 

NEW  YORK  LIBRARIES. 


SOME  ADVANTAGES    OF   MUNICIPAL   CONTROL 

First — A  free  public  library  under  municipal  control  has 
a  regular,  known  income,  wliicli  increases  witli  tlie  growth 
of  the   municipality. 

Second — It  is  not  dependent  >olcly  upon  .■subscriptions, 


MATERIAL  FOR  A  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  CAMPAIGN     49 

contributions  and  the  proceeds  of  entertainments  arranged 
for  its  benefit. 

Third — With  an  income  that  is  certain,  the  trustees  are 
able  to  make  plans  for  the  future,  and  more  economically 
adn\inister  the  affairs  of  the  library. 

Fourth — A  municipally-controlled  library  is  owned  by 
the  people,  and  experience  has  demonstrated  that  they 
take  a  much  greater  interest  in  an  institution  belonging 
to  them. 

Fifth — Public  libraries  supplement  the  work  of  the  pub- 
lic schools.  "Reading  maketh  a  full  man,"  wrote  Lord 
Bacon;  and  Thomas  Carlyle  thus  expressed  the  same 
idea:  "Tlie  true  university  of  these  daj's  is  a  collection 
of  books."  Libraries,  like  the  schools,  should  be  sup- 
ported by  the  people. 

Sixth — The  library  is  not  a  charity;  neitlicr  should  it 
be  regarded  as  a  luxury,  but  rather  as  a  necessity,  and  be 
maintained  in  the  same  manner  that  the  schools,  parks, 
fire  departments  and  public  roads  are  maintained — through 
the   tax   levy. 

Seventh — Where  all  contribute  the  burden  is  not  felt; 
each  aiding  according  to  liis  ability. 

Eighth — Permanency  is  acquired  for  the  library,  and 
many  valuable  governmental,  state  and  other  publications 
may  be  obtained  without  cost,  a  privilege  that  is  often 
denied    to    subscription    libraries. 

Ninth — The  trustees  and  lilirarian  arc  not  hampered  in 
their  work  by  inability  to  collect  subscriptions  or  the  fail- 
ure of  an  entertainment  to  return  a  profit. 

Tenth — There  is  a  more  efficient  and  closer  co-operation 
uith  tlie  public  school>  and  other  municipal  institutions 
and   interests. 

Flevcnth — Public  ownership  secures  more  democratic 
ser\ice  and  I)roadness  in  administration. 

i"inally— All  are  interested  in  a  Free  Public  Library,  and 
in  an  emergency  there  will  l)c  a  more  generous  response 
to  an  appeal   for  financial  a•^sistancc■. 

NEW  JERSEY  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  COMMISSION. 


ForelfEn  Book  Lists 

List  of  selected  German  books.    50c. 

List  of  Hungarian  books.     15c. 

List  of  French  books.    25c. 

List  of  French  fiction.    5c. 

List  of  Norwegian  and  Danish  books.    25c. 

Library  Tracts  (5c.  each) 

2  How  to  start  a  public  library,  by  Dr.  G.  E.  Wire. 

3  Traveling  libraries,  by  F.  A.  Hutchins. 

\    Library  rooms  and  buildings,  by  C.  C.  Soule. 
5    Notes  from  the  art  section  of  a  library,  by  C.  A. 
Cutter. 

8  A  village  library,  by  Mary  Anna  Tarbell. 

9  Training  for  librarianship. 

10    Why  do  we  need  a  public  library?    Material  for 
a  library  campaign,  by  Chalmers  Hadley. 

Library  Handbooks  (15c  each) 

1  Essentials  in  library  administration,  by  L.  E. 
Stearns. 

2  Cataloging   for   small    libraries,    by    Theresa 
Hitchler. 

3  Management  of  traveling  libraries,  by  Edna  D. 
Bullock. 

1    Aids  in  book  selection,  by  Alice  B.  Kroeger. 

5    Binding  for  small  libraries. 

()    Mending  and  repair  of  books,  by  Margaret  W. 

Browne. 

Card  Publications 
I     Catalog  cards  for  current  periodical  publications. 
-for  various  sets  of  periodicals  and  for  books  of 

composite  authorship. 
3    —for  current  books  in  English  and  American 

history,  with  annotations. 
I    —for  current  bibliographical  publications. 
">    —for  photo-reproductions  of  modern  language 

texts  before  1600  in  American  college  libraries. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


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Stockton,  CM. 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


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